Im really hoping and praying that anyone that has replied with "15 minutes is the right answer"...please tell me its a joke. The answer to the question is so obviously 20 that I see no reason why the debate is still going on...I know we are better than this.
True...I just looked at the first couple pages of responses and figured that 20 has to be the right answer. :grin: jk
1 board cut into 2 pieces= 10 minutes. Another board (new board) 3pieces = 15 minutes Its the cutting thats taking her 5 minutes a slice.
The sad thing is: no, no he won't learn. It's quite apparent that he has absolutely no grasp on the basic tenets of mathematics and simple logic. Two things that seem to be lost on more and more people every year.
Here is your equation: 10(x-1) = y x = number of pieces y = minutes spent cutting wood Or you could just use your brain. Whatever works for you.
<br> Honestly, based on how I have been taught math my whole life, if i just glanced at that question I would say the answer is 15. And I am majoring in math! This is only because I would assume the teacher wasn't idiotic enough to word it that way. The basic concept behind it would be: number of pieces x time it takes to cut each piece = total time <br> Because of the stupid picture on the page, it seems to look like the board is being cut more than once to achieve the two pieces. I would assume that two cuts are being made because in general these basic math problems imply everything is equal and the picture seems to support that. <br> Apparently the more dire problem seems to be the lack grammar and language knowledge of the teacher. The word "into" is what ruins the entire problem. The question needs to be reworded and there would be no dispute. A few ways of writing it would be: "She cut two pieces off of a board in ten minutes" "Marie cut a board twice in ten minutes" <br> These both imply that two cuts were made, thus we can arrive at the answer being 15. <br> Back to your original quote.. I have to disagree with you. I actually contend that basic math is not the issue in this case, though I do think math is a huge issue as well. Rather, it is the piss poor understanding of the english language that is plaguing our society. It seems that a very little percentage of people know how to write in a logical and coherent way that actually conveys something.
Sure, but that would be changing the entire problem. A simple question was asked and a simple answer is all that is required. The fact is this: the answer to said question is "20"...no more, no less. If you glanced at this question and came up with "15" as well...then your logic is simply askew.
<br> Not necessarily. The class doesn't seem to be a higher up math class. It's obviously covering the chapter of cross multiplication. Usually there aren't glaring mistakes like this on tests. It seems safe to assume that they want you to do 2/10=3/x I don't think that makes my logic skewed by any stretch. <br> Obviously the answer is 20. You're right about the simple question/simple answer bit. But it became complicated because of a grammatical error, not a mathematical one. That's all i'm saying...
^^ Oh yes, I agree there. It is quite clear what the "teacher" is looking for and yes, the wording of the question negates that goal by asking....well, a completely different question. That's where the simple logic comes into play. The fact of the matter is that this student was punished for being too logical.
now that I re-read it :grin: .The picture does help out alot. Technically it is 20 but I doubt thats how it was worded for.
Classic. Absolutely classic. ...if that isn't a microcosm of the current state of education...I don't know what is. If you had been around longer or if this was a teachers' forum, that would be 100% sig-worthy.
