# Give me some math problems **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 8, 2009, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-some-math-problems/513062 "2009-10-08T16:41:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-some-math-problems/513062/21 "2009-10-08T18:38:57Z")
> [@Mtgman](#): > > If the OP is looking for problems to solve for drill, then questions which are essentially trick questions, aren’t really going to help. That’s not a trick question in the least. It’s very easy to solve using the distance equation. You just have to be sure you’re plugging the right things in. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-some-math-problems/513062/22 "2009-10-08T18:41:43Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > 1. Wally and Norm each own several T-shirts. If Wally were to give Norm six T-shirts, they would have an equal number of T-shirts. If instead Norm were to give Wally six T-shirts, then Wally would have twice as many T-shirts as Norm. How many does each have? W = N + 6 N - 6 = 2W (?) I zigged when I should have zagged on the dice question. **ultra** where did I go wrong? 30 + 90 = 120, divided by two miles = 60mph. Bob + 4 = Tracy 3B + 2 =Tracy B = T-4 3(T-4) + 2 = T 3T-12 + 2 = T 3T - 10 = T 5 = T Tracy is five, Bob is one? ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_fun_ball/32/17664_2.png) [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-some-math-problems/513062/23 "2009-10-08T18:43:54Z")
> [@Mtgman](#): > > Checking **Baker’s** spoiler, I see our answers don’t match. I’ve double checked mine and I think it’s clean. If **Baker** posts his solution we can see where one of us went wrong. My answer is the same as yours: D[sup]2[/sup]=729/2 ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-some-math-problems/513062/24 "2009-10-08T18:44:11Z")
> [@ultrafilter](#): > > That’s not a trick question in the least. It’s very easy to solve using the distance equation. You just have to be sure you’re plugging the right things in. So what would your solution be? ∞? If so, then your Algebra I course was way harder than mine. Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-some-math-problems/513062/25 "2009-10-08T18:47:50Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > A house is twice as old as its oven was when the house was as old as the oven is. I’m sorry, I don’t understand the question. The house is twice as old as the oven is now? ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-some-math-problems/513062/26 "2009-10-08T18:52:08Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > W = N + 6 > > N - 6 = 2W (?) Your first equation isn’t right, so fix that and work from there. > [@ivylass](#): > > Bob + 4 = Tracy > 3B + 2 =Tracy > > B = T-4 > 3(T-4) + 2 = T > 3T-12 + 2 = T > 3T - 10 = T > 5 = T > > Tracy is five, Bob is one? Again, you’re having problems with what gets multiplied by three. Your first equation is right, your second equation needs work. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-some-math-problems/513062/27 "2009-10-08T18:53:03Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > 1. Find the number that best completes the following sequence: > 6 31 156 \_\_\_ 3906 It’s something to do with multiples of 25, right? ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-some-math-problems/513062/28 "2009-10-08T18:55:35Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > **ultra** where did I go wrong? 30 + 90 = 120, divided by two miles = 60mph. In order to average 60 mph for the whole trip, she needs to cover the two miles in two minutes. Since she’s driven the first mile at 30 mph, she’s taken two minutes to do so. Therefore, it’s not possible for her to average 60 mph for the whole trip. > [@Mtgman](#): > > So what would your solution be? ∞? If so, then your Algebra I course was way harder than mine. I said it was a hard problem, but yes, it’s definitely doable with a background in algebra I. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-some-math-problems/513062/29 "2009-10-08T19:04:29Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > 1. Find the six-digit number in which the second digit is two less than the first, the third is two less than the second, and the fourth is two less than the third. The fourth is the difference when the third is subtracted from the fifth. The sum of all the digits is 38. The first digit is x. So the second digit is x - 2, the third digit is x - 4, and the fourth digit is x - 6. The fourth digit is also y (y is the fifth digit) - x - 4. I have no idea where to go from there. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-some-math-problems/513062/30 "2009-10-08T19:07:49Z")
> [@ultrafilter](#): > > I said it was a hard problem, but yes, it’s definitely doable with a background in algebra I. I’m having a hard time expressing the problem in algebraic terms. What would it look like? ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-some-math-problems/513062/31 "2009-10-08T19:12:53Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > It’s something to do with multiples of 25, right? It has to do with multiplying, but not with 25. > [@ivylass](#): > > The first digit is x. So the second digit is x - 2, the third digit is x - 4, and the fourth digit is x - 6. The fourth digit is also y (y is the fifth digit) - x - 4. > > I have no idea where to go from there. Plug in the three possible values for X and see what happens. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-some-math-problems/513062/32 "2009-10-08T19:14:31Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > I’m having a hard time expressing the problem in algebraic terms. What would it look like? Use d = rt. For the first leg, you get 1 = 30t, which gives t = 1/30 hour, or two minutes. Then use d = rt again to get 2 = 60(t + 1/30), which gives 1/30 = t + 1/30, and there’s no solution. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-some-math-problems/513062/33 "2009-10-08T19:15:48Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > Your first equation isn’t right, so fix that and work from there. W - 6 = N? Isn’t that the same as W = N + 6? For Bob and Tracy, I’ve got either 3T = B-2 or T = 3B - 2. If neither one is right I’m stuck. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-some-math-problems/513062/34 "2009-10-08T19:19:47Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > W - 6 = N? Nope. Reread the first “if” sentence again. > [@ivylass](#): > > For Bob and Tracy, I’ve got either 3T = B-2 or T = 3B - 2. If neither one is right I’m stuck. Sorry, neither one is right. T = 3 (B - 2) ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-some-math-problems/513062/35 "2009-10-08T19:21:29Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > plug in the three possible values for x and see what happens. 975,386 ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-some-math-problems/513062/36 "2009-10-08T19:31:35Z")
Shirts: W + 6 = N N + 6 = 2W God, I feel so stupid. Thanks for your patience, folks. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-some-math-problems/513062/37 "2009-10-08T19:37:46Z")
Tracy is 9 Bob is 5. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-some-math-problems/513062/38 "2009-10-08T19:40:27Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > 975,386 Correct! Yay! > [@ivylass](#): > > Shirts: > > W + 6 = N > > N + 6 = 2W > > God, I feel so stupid. Thanks for your patience, folks. No prob – I’m actually revelling in the oddness of my coaching someone in math. (I did fine in HS math and actually test well in it, but never took any at the college level, and I definitely don’t think of myself as the math type.) That said – take one more look at the shirts problem. Note that any equation you come up with has to involve a change in number (6) _on both sides of the equation_, because the shirts don’t disappear, they go from one person to the other. Does that help? ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-some-math-problems/513062/39 "2009-10-08T19:43:28Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > Tracy is 9 > Bob is 5. Yes! **high-fives ivylass** ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-some-math-problems/513062/40 "2009-10-08T19:53:35Z")
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