Math Problem

posted on October 28th, 2004, 11:33 am

yea ok, but it's all on paper mate, when someone ask you a quick question then, and you can say you don't but I know you do, want to try and solve it quickly and most likly say the wrong anwser BEFORE you go and think hey wait....you have to x first

posted on October 28th, 2004, 3:14 pm

Typically, when writing math problems on a computer, unless your using microsoft equation editor or some other symbol writing software, * is the symbol for multiplication (since x is actually the symbol of a cross-product, at least in any higher level math class). So, the correct way to have asked the question would have been (being consistant, if x is a symbol, so to must be the ? mark)

4+4+4*x*2=?

Now, I don't think you could solve this as originally stated. This is what is called a two by one system, and under specified (2 degrees of freedom?). Since if the x is unkown, so is the question mark. Rewriting to help explain, letting ?=y, 4+4+4*x*2=y. So, this is in fact a line, y=8*x+8 with a slope of 8 which crosses the y-axis at 8.

So, as written originally, I think that any reasonable person when first looking at this problem would either say that the answer is 16 or underspecified. Or, which is far more likely, poorly written.

posted on October 28th, 2004, 5:58 pm

true, however this is just basic math not with variables and all

posted on October 28th, 2004, 6:57 pm

its a trick, you got to know order of operations to get it right

posted on October 28th, 2004, 10:33 pm

I did know the order of operations but due to bobs... chatting, I didn't think he has been so far as to have been in algebra of some sort.

[coolhandab]

posted on October 29th, 2004, 12:31 am

Last edited by coolhandab on October 29th, 2004, 12:32 am, edited 1 time in total.

Haha I love it, an underspecified first degree equation! One degree of freedom and zero constraint equations! I hadn't thought of that one, and I get the feeling neither did Bob.

posted on October 29th, 2004, 2:22 am

huh? underspecified...........huh?