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View Full Version : Ok here is a simple math problem..who can figure it.


oblongmelon
09-12-2002, 02:25 PM
my next door neighbor's kid came over today to see if I could help her figure out a math problem because her mom couldn't do it..I'm sure it's algebra, and no matter how hard I tried I could not get past my brain fart..and this is going to bug me. Here is the problem..
The sum of two numbers is 38. The difference between the numbers is 16, what are the two numbers..
I drew a total blank after about 12 attempts! does anyone know the freakin solution to this simple 8th grade problem?
this is without using the distributive,associative or any other properties apparently.
sbp
09-12-2002, 02:31 PM
27 and 11
cruelpupet
09-12-2002, 02:40 PM
that was a very easy problem....and i suck at math


(38 - 16) / 2

then add 16 at the end for the second one


what grade you in oblong?
glagic
09-12-2002, 02:41 PM
Originally posted by sbp
27 and 11

thats right answer. if you need work, here it is. ill keep the work as simple as i can...if u need explanation, pm me

side 1       side 2 explanation
x+y=38 and x-y=16
x=16+y [solve for one variable]
16+y+y=38 [substitute 16+y for x]
2y=22 [simplified and isolated the variable]
y=11 [divide both sides by 2]
x=16+11 [substituted 11 for y]
x=27

your answer is: 27 and 11. like what sbp said.
oblongmelon
09-12-2002, 02:42 PM
hahaha thanks..it's been a long time since I've had math class..lol..anyway..I didn't like math THEN, and I don't like it now..only when I count my bags and bags of money. ;)
Now I can rub it in to the kid next door that I know the answer and she doesn't..it's grand to feel smart when your up against a 12 year old..lol
glagic
09-12-2002, 02:42 PM
hahaha...have fun.:bigmouth:
Markel
09-12-2002, 05:03 PM
Time for another lesson:

If I can sweep a floor in 3 minutes, and you can sweep the same floor in 5 minutes, how long will it take if we both work together? (And yes, we both have brooms.)
jujubees
09-12-2002, 05:08 PM
Originally posted by Markel
Time for another lesson:

If I can sweep a floor in 3 minutes, and you can sweep the same floor in 5 minutes, how long will it take if we both work together? (And yes, we both have brooms.) I've tried this with my ex-roommate. It took us 5 minutes: I swept while she stood by and "supervised." :o
Merlin
09-12-2002, 05:16 PM
Originally posted by oblongmelon
my next door neighbor's kid came over today to see if I could help her figure out a math problem because her mom couldn't do it..I'm sure it's algebra, and no matter how hard I tried I could not get past my brain fart..and this is going to bug me. Here is the problem..
The sum of two numbers is 38. The difference between the numbers is 16, what are the two numbers..
I drew a total blank after about 12 attempts! does anyone know the freakin solution to this simple 8th grade problem?
this is without using the distributive,associative or any other properties apparently.

Great thing about math is that there are often differnt paths to get to the same number. I prefer to use simutaneous equations to do it...

X+Y=38
X-Y=16

Add those two eqations together to get
2X+0Y=54
or
2X=54
Therefore
X=27 as everyone else who got home before me has already told you.
Merlin
09-12-2002, 05:24 PM
Originally posted by Markel
Time for another lesson:

If I can sweep a floor in 3 minutes, and you can sweep the same floor in 5 minutes, how long will it take if we both work together? (And yes, we both have brooms.)

It would take them 1 minute and 52.5 seconds or 1.875 minutes.

1/5x + 1/3x = 100%, where x=number of minutes to complete job
3/15x + 5/15x = 100%
8/15x = 100%
Therefore
x=1.875 minutes

To check...

In 1.875 minutes the 3 minute guy could do 62.5% of the floor
And
In 1.875 minutes the 5 minute guy could do 37.5% of the floor

Or the more accurate answer...
All depends on how fast my girlfriend can do it once I put the broom in her hands :P
DankNstickY
09-12-2002, 08:05 PM
Originally posted by jujubees
I've tried this with my ex-roommate. It took us 5 minutes: I swept while she stood by and "supervised." :o

supervision is ALWAYS good :P
glagic
09-12-2002, 08:48 PM
Originally posted by DankNstickY
supervision is ALWAYS good

only when ur the supervisor. if ur the person working, it sucks. well most of the time it does. there are a few exceptions
Nija
09-13-2002, 07:34 AM
Originally posted by jujubees
I've tried this with my ex-roommate. It took us 5 minutes: I swept while she stood by and "supervised." :o

*spits water into trash*

hahaha
oh damn... that was funny.... :heh: