Posted by Randy Davis on October 01, 2002 at 17:47:51:
In Reply to: A li'l bit of help... posted by Denis Borris on September 28, 2002 at 15:43:39:
: Where did you get these, buddy? Sure not from same math book:
: #3 is some 10 times more complicated that the toughest of the other 3!
: : : : : 1. X+Y=44
: : : : : Y=2(X-A)
: : : : : Y-A=(X+B/2
: : : : : X+B= 3(Y-C)
: : : : : Y-C= 3(X-C)
: : : : : Solve for X and Y in terms of A, B, and C.
: A solution: A=2.75, B=33, C=11, X=16.5, Y=27.5
: Play with that: I don't feel like typing loads of substitutions!
: : : : : 2. Maddux, Smoltz, and Wohlers pitched a total of 576
: : : : : innings. Maddux pitched 8 2/3 fewer than Smoltz and
: : : : : 167 2/3 more than Wohlers. How many did each pitch?
: : 2. M+S+W= 576 is all I could figure out.
: Huh? You're either way over your head, else LAZY AS HELL!
: If M pitched 8 2/3 FEWER than S, then M = S - 8 2/3 :
: if you couldn't get that, well......
: : : : : 3. 2 ladders are crossed in an alley. They are
: : : : : supported by a vertical wall. The ladders are 40
: : : : : feet and 60 feet in length. They intersect 10 feet
: : : : : above the ground. How wide is the alley?
: What the hell; go here: http://www.lex.net/ladders.html
: : : : : 4. A banana peel weighs 1/8 the total weight of the
: : : : : banana. If an unpeeled banana is put on a scale and
: : : : : it just balances a peeled banana of the same weight
: : : : : plus 7/8 of an ounce, how much does the banana with
: : : : : peel weigh?
:
: A bit like (but not as confusing) as the old hen and a half, egg and a half....
: Let total ounces = x
: 1st on scale: x ounces (unpeeled banana)
: 2nd on scale: 7x/8 (peeled) + 7/8
: SO:
: x = 7x/8 + 7/8
: finish it
: That's all you get from me; excuse my tone, BUT you sure didn't try very hard!
I have been out of school over 25 years and I had forgotten some of my math. I found 3 of these in old math books and 1 on another message board. They were interesting to me. I was only trying to find some assistance in solving them. I am not "LAZY AS HELL" as you put it. Any assistance you can provide is appreciated.