Yes, it doesn't need to say all sides are equal. If they are not equal, the measurements would have been given. Until then, we must assume it's a flat board with equal sides.
I still don't understand how all these unnecessary "assumptions" lead you to the answer of 15. Yes, I saw your little diagram.....and it's completely irrelevant. All the information you need is IN THE PROBLEM. Marie made one cut....it took her 10 minutes. Therefore, each subsequent cut should also take 10 minutes. Why is that such a hard concept to grasp??
LOL WUT? I think you're confusing some geometry fundamentals with...I don't know what the hell you're confusing it with. You're NOT suppose to assume any sides are equal even if the illustration seem to suggest they are. That should be what was taught on your first day of geometry, not this "assume all sides are equal" crap.
Where does it say each cut takes 10 minutes? It doesn't. If it's not given, then it can't be assumed Marrie will saw the board in the same direction. It doesn't matter if it's a flat board, or a circular board. It doesn't mention the dimensions because the it's a board with equal sides.
Whether the sides are equal or not really isn't a relevant factor. What's relevant is how long it takes to make a cut. But by the same argument you give, they don't need to say that all the cuts are equal. If they are not equal, than the length/depth of the cuts would have been given. Until then, assume each cut is equal (hence, takes an equal amount of time). So: 1 cut -> 2 pieces, 10 minutes 2 cuts -> 3 pieces, 20 minutes Pretty easy problem.
More like a bunch of Kanye West's. Fish sticks being the metaphor of a basic geometrical math question.
wow, this thread. I'm much more confused after reading through it than I ever was before. you guys should fight about this, I hear fighting is the way to solve disputes nowadays.
Sounds like it can't be given either way, therefore why is anyone arguing to adamantly for either side so many pages later? EDIT The problem is clearly the wording and construction of the given information.... why is this still an issue, and why would anyone bother thinking they're so 'right' about this?
And why do you think it can be assumed that Marie would saw the board in a direction that is perpendicular to the prior cut (and thus for the equal-sided shape you're also assuming it would take half the time)?
Because there is no Geometric rule saying we can't saw a board in a different direction. Answer me this, if it takes 10 minutes to saw a board in half, how long would it take to saw one of those boards in half? The rest of you, go swim with the fish.
