Math problem - what's your answer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:unless he's splitting it down the middle, then it's a different problem

No. Kids need to learn (and maybe be explicitly told) that a key to do well on tests like this is figuring out what the teacher wants. Clearly here you are not supposed to split it down the middle. The trick here is that it does not take 2x to do 10 cuts v 5, but 2x + 1.

You're one of those kids whose teachers always wrote "show your work!!!" aren't you?

Because when 2x = 40 but 2x + 1 = 45 I first think wtf? but then with some effort I was able to figure out your thought process. But I sort of hope you don't help your kids with their math hw.

[Anonymous]

I would have said 40 mins. But I failed math in school and now I see why.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You might want to factor in how tired Mr. Sawyer gets. The rate of work slows down as production increases.

On the other hand, he's dealing with lighter pieces so it might be easier.

Honestly, I feel like 17 of those 20 minutes are going to be putting gas in the chainsaw, and getting it out of the garage in the first place.

I don't know, after he realized he cut the first ones wrong he's getting kind of stressed and sweaty and pretty soon he's going to saw off a finger.

Even worse--after all that he will realize he needed 11 psots, not 10, to put a post every 10 feet on a 100 foot stretch of yard by the driveway and he's going to have to cut down another tree.

[Anonymous]

4 minutes per cut. 9 cuts total. 36

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:4 minutes per cut. 9 cuts total. 36

Fail. 20/4=5. 5*9=45

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You might want to factor in how tired Mr. Sawyer gets. The rate of work slows down as production increases.

On the other hand, he's dealing with lighter pieces so it might be easier.

Honestly, I feel like 17 of those 20 minutes are going to be putting gas in the chainsaw, and getting it out of the garage in the first place.

I don't know, after he realized he cut the first ones wrong he's getting kind of stressed and sweaty and pretty soon he's going to saw off a finger.

Even worse--after all that he will realize he needed 11 psots, not 10, to put a post every 10 feet on a 100 foot stretch of yard by the driveway and he's going to have to cut down another tree.

So, if you have to visit the ER, and get emergency surgery, and then recuperate before you try, do you add the whole time to the total?

"If cutting a log into 10 pieces of wood took 2 months, 3 hours and $6,200 plus lost wages, what was the time and cost to chop a log into 15 pieces?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:20 min = 5 pieces
X min = 10 pieces

40.

Takes him 2x as long for 2x the amount.

That’s what I would say!

[Anonymous]

Stack two logs after the first cut.

Cut four times.

25 minutes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You might want to factor in how tired Mr. Sawyer gets. The rate of work slows down as production increases.

That’s exactly how my brain looked at it. Unfortunately too many people look at people as machines, so there’s little to no fatigue factored into planning.

[Anonymous]

I wonder of this is why I did miserably on the math SATs.

I can see why either 40 or 45 would be the right answer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:20 min = 5 pieces
X min = 10 pieces

40.

Takes him 2x as long for 2x the amount.

OP here. This was my first thought, and my kid's. But everyone who said 45 minutes is in fact correct. 5 minutes per chop and 9 chops to get 10 pieces.

You cut 4 times to make 5 pieces, you don't cut 5 times. Are you fighting this? Because if you are, you're wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:unless he's splitting it down the middle, then it's a different problem

No. Kids need to learn (and maybe be explicitly told) that a key to do well on tests like this is figuring out what the teacher wants. Clearly here you are not supposed to split it down the middle. The trick here is that it does not take 2x to do 10 cuts v 5, but 2x + 1.

You're one of those kids whose teachers always wrote "show your work!!!" aren't you?

Because when 2x = 40 but 2x + 1 = 45 I first think wtf? but then with some effort I was able to figure out your thought process. But I sort of hope you don't help your kids with their math hw.

Yeah PP's language was confusing. it's not 10 cuts, it's 10 PIECES. It is 2x or 2x+1 CUTS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder of this is why I did miserably on the math SATs.

I can see why either 40 or 45 would be the right answer.

Explain how 40 could be the right answer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder of this is why I did miserably on the math SATs.

I can see why either 40 or 45 would be the right answer.

Explain how 40 could be the right answer?

If he had two logs...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder of this is why I did miserably on the math SATs.

I can see why either 40 or 45 would be the right answer.

Explain how 40 could be the right answer?

40 is the only “obvious” answer for me. All other answers require a little more consideration.