Grade 5/6 math problem that is driving DH and I crazy

[GoJays]

[GoJays]

so what you're saying is if we're not looking at it, it's not actually there... so there's the answer to that question - the tree falling in the forest doesn't make a sound

[rock lobster]

Yep, to carry it even further nothing exists unless there is someone to observe it.

[MrsSunshine]

ok im with scottish gal.. i also got 1/3
doesn't matter what you length you cut the stick into. its now in 3 pieces.
so each piece is 1 part of the whole stick. which is now 3/3.
so each is 1/3. 1/3 . 1/3 it didnt' ask how long each piece was only how much of the original it is. if i remember correctly.
????

[lecale]

.

[heartgirl99]

Ah yes the "new" ways of teaching. Well we had to teach both our kids to read because they didn't learn anything in school.

I had to buy posters with the addition and multiplication tables on it because they don't teach this anymore.

Oh and there's no more practicing hand writing or penmanship.

So I ask this, if we had to teach the kids the 3 "R's" what are they learning in school?

You notice everywhere you go now when you give a cashier the money they can't even do the math in their heads to give you change? UGH

absolutely! if the cash register fails to show them how much change to give you, they're totally lost.
one time my bill was $22.10. i gave the clerk $25.10. she gave me the dime back saying the i didn't need to give that to her because i had already given her too much. <rolls eyes>

[heartgirl99]

so what you're saying is if we're not looking at it, it's not actually there... so there's the answer to that question - the tree falling in the forest doesn't make a sound

Yep, to carry it even further nothing exists unless there is someone to observe it.

kinda like schroedinger's cat being an example of superposition.... which is just making this thread more confusing

[heartgirl99]

3 pieces
All different sizes
there is the shortest piece, call it length x
each piece (except the shortest) is twice as long as another piece
therefore the second longest piece is 2x (twice as long as x)
and the last piece is 4x (twice as long as 2x)
given those criteria, there is no alternate answer

i think you're right, lecale.

[Candini]

[rock lobster]

Don't start trouble here HG, GoJays and I are bonding over particle physics.

[rock lobster]

Oh ya, and that God guy the scientists banished about 50 years ago.....He's back
as a result of their own investigation.

[heartgirl99]

Don't start trouble here HG, GoJays and I are bonding over particle physics.

carry on
i have trouble getting my head around i2 (i squared) being -1

[rock lobster]

Let's not lose sight of the big picture here girls, our goal is to
screw over a math teacher who has the gall to infringe upon
our right to freedom by imposing homework!

[GoJays]

Hopefully we can find out which is the correct answer today. I asked DD about it yesterday, she told me that her teacher was still checking the papers. And I don't want to screw over her teacher, I like him

[Andit]

Sorry I'm late to the fun (I confess I was in the unofficial math club in HS ). I also think it's 1/7. 2/7 & 4/7.

Would they be metric 1/7ths or standard??

Maybe this guy can explain?