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

[heartgirl99]

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

obviously, it's a logarithmic scale

[rock lobster]

Kids in grade 5 shouldn't be playing with sticks,

too dangerous, must have snuck them through the metal detectors.

[saddlebag]

Our DD is in grade four, the is now a "new" way of doing math....nothing like DH and I did....instead of multiplying the way we were taught, there is now a 5 step addition part to get the multiplation anwser???WTF

[rock lobster]

They tried to 'teach' my son to read using 'the whole language' method, screwed him up totally.
They gave up on that one.

[GoJays]

Our DD is in grade four, the is now a "new" way of doing math....nothing like DH and I did....instead of multiplying the way we were taught, there is now a 5 step addition part to get the multiplation anwser???WTF

They tried to 'teach' my son to read using 'the whole language' method, screwed him up totally.
They gave up on that one.

I just don't understand why they have to mess around with something that's worked just fine for so many years. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!!

[acosta]

^^ I agree.

And what's more confusing are the parents are trying to help their kids! We aren't in the classroom learning this new way. How we learned doesn't make sense to our kids anymore.
We have to either re-learn it, the 'new' way or get frustrated with the children (or teacher) because we don't understand this 'new' way. Then homework because an EVEN bigger chore and pain in the butt!

What confuses the kids the most, is that the teacher teaches one way, and the parents teach another way.
Poor kid goes to school the next day not knowing what to do...

[DiamondLil]

DD's teacher sent this problem home for them to figure out.. she's not even in grade 5 yet! If we can't figure it out I'm not quite sure how the 9 year old is supposed to get it. DH is the math wiz in our house and even he is pulling his hair out. I always hated math. Anyone have any ideas?

A stick is cut into three pieces, each having a different length. Each piece (except the shortest) is twice as long as another piece.
What fraction of the whole stick is each piece?

first piece is length x
next piece is 2x (2 times x, twice as long as the last)
next piece is 4x (2 times 2x, twice as long as the last)

Stick length = x + 2x + 4x
= 7x

first piece is x/7x or 1/7 of stick
second piece is 2x/7x or 2/7
third piece is 4x/7x or 4/7

thank you for showing your work!!

This may not be the solution.....

[Patty Smyth]

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

[lecale]

.

[abbasgirl]

I don't know anything about the new way, but maybe I would have been better off with it at least for math. I loved reading and language arts, but math was absolutely painful (except algebra ). I figured out this question in about a minute by drawing the different sections of the stick. As long as there's pictures, I'm fine!

[Scottishgal]

I was just wondering if it is a trick question?
I'm thinking if it is the answer is: 1/3 ( one third )

[abbasgirl]

It really is a lot easier to see it if you draw it. Draw the first section. That's one part of the whole.
The second second is twice as long as the first, so that's 2 parts.
The third section is twice as long as the second section, so that's 4 parts.
Now add up all the parts (1+2+4=7). So there are 7 parts to the whole stick. Section 1 is 1/7. Section 2 is 2/7. Section 3 is 4/7.

[Candini]

[abbasgirl]

Maybe those of you who normally "get" math, need an actual unit of measurement to work with. Draw your first section 1 inch long. Mark off each inch as you draw the next two and then count up all the inches.

[rock lobster]

no, really, it is.

No really, it only is if the stick is being observed by a consciousness .
Seriously, quantum physics has proven that sub-atomic particles (and therefore solid particles
such as wood) only exist if someone observes them.
This is known as the quantum enigma.
So, therefore the best current answer to this question is 1/7th or nothing!!!
He,he welcome to the wonderful wacky place we laughingly call our universe.