Math problem - what's your answer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:45 is the obvious answer but OP said it's not the obvious answer, so what is it?

I do believe that when OP said "obvious answer" she meant "first impulse" and presumes most people would simply double 20 minutes. She didn't actually mean "obvious" answer because you're correct that 45 minutes is "obvious." However, it might not be "obvious" to a 4th grader.

[Anonymous]

Kids today would hire someone to do it for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids answered: It depends. Is he in shape? Does he need a break to do more cuts? Is it the same size log and if so is it more difficult to cut it into smaller pieces versus larger pieces? And if it isn't the same size log, does it take longer to manipulate the larger log in the first place?

Sigh. Maybe this kid will get better grades in physics some day? Or become a lawyer.

This is exactly how I was answering it too. I overanalyze everything and wouldn't have even thought of this as a math problem in the first place.

Those are not remotely good answers to a CML. The answer line is a small little line.

CML?

Continental Math League. Many schools hand these out as "challenge" problems to kids. They're good because they force kids to think and analyze a little more. When I worked with my daughter on them years ago my mantra would be "what are they REALLY asking here?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:45 is the obvious answer but OP said it's not the obvious answer, so what is it?

I do believe that when OP said "obvious answer" she meant "first impulse" and presumes most people would simply double 20 minutes. She didn't actually mean "obvious" answer because you're correct that 45 minutes is "obvious." However, it might not be "obvious" to a 4th grader.

This is OP and you are correct.

My son is 3rd grade AAP so they do the 4th grade CML problems.

[Anonymous]

I was always good at zeroing in on what the test was looking at, good at word problems, good at math in general --terrible at political survey questions though! Also I am enjoying this thread.

Whether 45 min or 40 min is the "obvious" answer I think misses what is going on with the problem and what it requires.

First, language processing. American english is my first language (I have also used chain saws to cut down trees, albeit nothing over 14" trunk diameter and that was when I was much younger). So I know that cutting a log INTO 5 pieces is not the same as cutting 5 pieces OFF of a log.

And if you think about it the relationship between # of cuts and # of pieces that result definitely involves abstraction (with mathematical induction) including visualization.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:45 is the obvious answer but OP said it's not the obvious answer, so what is it?

I do believe that when OP said "obvious answer" she meant "first impulse" and presumes most people would simply double 20 minutes. She didn't actually mean "obvious" answer because you're correct that 45 minutes is "obvious." However, it might not be "obvious" to a 4th grader.

This is OP and you are correct.

My son is 3rd grade AAP so they do the 4th grade CML problems.

AAP isn’t really relevant here. These problems are given out in base schools too and always a grade or two ahead. It’s not some AAP thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids answered: It depends. Is he in shape? Does he need a break to do more cuts? Is it the same size log and if so is it more difficult to cut it into smaller pieces versus larger pieces? And if it isn't the same size log, does it take longer to manipulate the larger log in the first place?

Sigh. Maybe this kid will get better grades in physics some day? Or become a lawyer.

While I love math, I love this answer!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was always good at zeroing in on what the test was looking at, good at word problems, good at math in general --terrible at political survey questions though! Also I am enjoying this thread.

Whether 45 min or 40 min is the "obvious" answer I think misses what is going on with the problem and what it requires.

First, language processing. American english is my first language (I have also used chain saws to cut down trees, albeit nothing over 14" trunk diameter and that was when I was much younger). So I know that cutting a log INTO 5 pieces is not the same as cutting 5 pieces OFF of a log.

And if you think about it the relationship between # of cuts and # of pieces that result definitely involves abstraction (with mathematical induction) including visualization.

I like the way your mind works, PP! Interesting stuff!