High School Math Brain Teaser...

[Anonymous]

It was the tense that had me uncertain ("everyday I'm shuffling"). I get the riff, but it just makes things a little confusing. If it were a 5th (?) grade problem introducing probabilities, then I'd think it was looking for just one-day probability. But if high school, I'd think seven-day consecutive probability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It was the tense that had me uncertain ("everyday I'm shuffling"). I get the riff, but it just makes things a little confusing. If it were a 5th (?) grade problem introducing probabilities, then I'd think it was looking for just one-day probability. But if high school, I'd think seven-day consecutive probability.

That's what the imperfect grammar was attempting to make clear. I think it's trying to say: "Every day, I'm [doing a, b, c, or d]." Poorly written, especially for a math problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was the tense that had me uncertain ("everyday I'm shuffling"). I get the riff, but it just makes things a little confusing. If it were a 5th (?) grade problem introducing probabilities, then I'd think it was looking for just one-day probability. But if high school, I'd think seven-day consecutive probability.

That's what the imperfect grammar was attempting to make clear. I think it's trying to say: "Every day, I'm [doing a, b, c, or d]." Poorly written, especially for a math problem.

Totally agree. While "every day, I'm shuffling" sounds grammatically incorrect, it's actually correct and precise in the context of this assignment and makes it very clear that the answer is looking for "I'm shuffling" on all of the days (each and every day). In an English essay, you'd probably say "every day, I shuffle" to express a habit.

No wonder that the rest of the world thinks German should be the language of choice for science and math (as French for diplomacy). The English language does not do well on math problems, which, come to think of it, may be one reason the US trails so many other countries when it comes to math.

[Anonymous]

Ok, you old farts ( including myself ) and english majors. Everyday I'm Shuffling is a phrase in a popular song. The song is drilled in my brain.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2xDiXhrLPc&feature=related

[Anonymous]

Re:"Doing the Dougie" John Wall of the Washington Wizards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BMnFOr_Xoc

[Anonymous]

Re: Popping and Locking. 40 somethings at work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTptrY8zBfI

Now can we solve this poor kids math problem.

[Anonymous]

Opps. kid's. Sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The question is ambiguous. Is it asking probability of shuffling on just one day of the week? Or the much smaller probability of shuffling every day for seven days?

If the former, I think it's 28%. If the latter, I think it's something like 0.0135% (i.e., 28%^7).

I haven't done probabilities in several years, so it this is a high schooler looking for homework help, you may well miss this one.

Why do you think that the question is ambiguous, PP? While the tense of the problem statement is poorly chosen, I don't see how to read it as asking for anything other than the probability of shuffling every day for 7 days, which is (p_s)^7 = .4^7= .0016384.

This is correct.
I sure learned a whole lot about dancing just now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Re: Popping and Locking. 40 somethings at work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTptrY8zBfI

Now can we solve this poor kids math problem.

Too funy!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok, you old farts ( including myself ) and english majors. Everyday I'm Shuffling is a phrase in a popular song. The song is drilled in my brain.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2xDiXhrLPc&feature=related

For a parent, who math learning ended at Trigonometry, how did you get your answer. I did know all the dances and songs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Re: Popping and Locking. 40 somethings at work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTptrY8zBfI

Now can we solve this poor kids math problem.

I really like this one. I impressed my kids with my pop/lock moves.

[Anonymous]

It isn't a brain teaser.

[Anonymous]

Do your own homework, kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The question is ambiguous. Is it asking probability of shuffling on just one day of the week? Or the much smaller probability of shuffling every day for seven days?

If the former, I think it's 28%. If the latter, I think it's something like 0.0135% (i.e., 28%^7).

I haven't done probabilities in several years, so it this is a high schooler looking for homework help, you may well miss this one.

Why do you think that the question is ambiguous, PP? While the tense of the problem statement is poorly chosen, I don't see how to read it as asking for anything other than the probability of shuffling every day for 7 days, which is (p_s)^7 = .4^7= .0016384.

I'm OP, I'm a mom, my kid is at Deal and this a math problem the kids are doing in their little impromptu math club--it was presented to them as being high school level.

[Anonymous]

So how DO you solve this math problem? I must admit, I've forgotten all the math probabilities I've ever learned (I don't think I had them until my probability and statistics class in grad school), and would be the first to shout out ".28!!"