My daughter went hypersonic tonight over her Algebra homework, which was, shall we say, beyond her. She flew to my wife, the math major, who couldn't solve it. Granted, she was impeded by a screaming, wailing daughter. They then went to bring the daughter to an event.
While they were gone, I solved it. Luck played a part, but -- I solved it.
I'm pleased.
4 comments:
Post it -- and give us a chance to see if we can solve it. I might surprise myself. How long did it take you?
It took me about half an hour - of which about twenty minutes was saying THAT can't be right, and trying again, and again, and again.
The value of a two digit number is two more than three times the sum of its two digits. The digit in the tens column is four less than the digit in the ones column. What's the two digit number?
Its not really a trick question, I told my daughter, but in a way, it is.
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
This is the solution to the algebra problem.
First, do the substitution. End up with an equation that shows the total value minus two being equal to three times the sum of the digits. Each of the digits should be stated in terms of ones - ie, if the ones value is O, then the tens value is O-4.
Second, remember that the value of the number -- any number -- is one times the value in the ones position plus ten times the value in the tens position. Create an equation that shows this.
Third, set the two equations equal to each other and solve for O. Once you've got that, determine the value of tens.
Fourth; THE ORIGINAL TWO DIGIT NUMBER (SOLUTION) IS:
26.
I didn't read your second comment yet. I'm doing this over breakfast -- and I will have my it's-not-my-best-subject 12year old do it with me.
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