Monday, September 9, 2013

Chicken, Rabbit Questions : Algebra Without Using Variables

The problems below are much easier so if you are preparing for the state, try the online timed test here.
Just write down random name to enter the test site is fine. At the end of the test, you'll see the answers for the ones you get wrong. Everyone is welcome to take the test. Thanks a lot and have fun problem solving. 

#1: There are 20 horses and chickens at Old Macdonald's farm. Together there are 58 legs. How many horses and how many chickens?

Solutions I :
#1: Using algebra, you have 
H + C = 20---equation 1 and
4H +2C = 58---equation 2

To get rid of one variable you can times equation 1 by 2 to get rid of Chicken or times 4 to get rid of horses. 
Times 2 and you have 2 H + 2 C = 40 (every term needs to be multiplied by 2)---equation 3
                                  4 H + 2C = 58---equation 2
Using equation 2 - equation 3 and yo get 2H = 18 so H = 9 and from there, solve for C = 11

Solution II: 
Let there be C chickens and (20-C) horses. [Since the sum of the number of chickens and horses is 20. If one has C number, the other has (20 - C)

2C + 4 (20 - C) = 58;  2C + 80 - 4C = 58; -2C = -22; C = 11 
and from there, you get H = 20 - 11 = 9

Solution III:
Without using algebra, you can make all the animals be chickens first. In that case, you'll have 20 x 2 = 40 legs.  Since you have 58 legs, you need to get rid of some chickens and bring in more horses. 

You gain 2 legs by every transaction (-2 + 4 = 2).  (58 - 40) / 2 = 9 so 9 horses and 11 chickens.

Other similar questions to practice (answer key below):  
 #1: Rabbits and ducks -- 30 animals and  86 feet. 
#2: There are 24 three-leg stools and four-leg tables. Together there are 86 legs.
#3: There are 43 bicycles and tricycles and together there are 100 wheels.
#4: There are 33 octopus (8 arms) and sea otters and together they have 188 arms/or for sea otters--legs. How many octopus and how many sea otters?  
#5: There are 18 animals in the barnyard, some are cows and some are chickens. There are total 48 legs. How many chickens and how many cows? 














 Answers: 
#1: 13 rabbits and 17 ducks. 
#2: 10 three-leg stools and 14 four-leg tables.
#3: 29 bicycles and 14 tricycles. 
#4: 14 octopus and 19 sea otters.  
#5:  6 cows and 12 chickens.

Monday, June 3, 2013

This Week's Work : Week 15 - for Inquisitive Young Mathletes

Part I work for this week:

See if you can write proof to show the exterior angle of any regular convex polygon is \(\frac{360}{n}\).
I'll include that in my blog for better proof.

Polygons Part I : interior angle, exterior angle, sum of all the interior angles in a polygon, how many diagonals
in a polygon

Polygons Part II : reviews and applicable word problems

Interior angles of polygons from "Math Is Fun"

Exterior angles of polygons from "Math Is Fun"

Supplementary angles

Complementary angles

Get an account from Alcumus and choose focus topics on "Polygon Angles" to practice.
Instant feedback is provided. This is by far the best place to learn problem solving, so make the best use of
these wonderful features.

This week's video on math or science : Moebius Transformations Revealed

Part II work online timed test word problems and link to key in the answers will be sent out through e-mail.

Have fun problem solving !!

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

This Week's Work : Week 13 - for Inquisitive Young Mathletes

First, review target level questions you got wrong last week and practice counting systematically.

Right triangle inscribed in a circle proof from Khan Academy

Review 30-60-90 special right triangle from AOPS and practice getting the two legs/hypotenuse fast.

Review 45-45-90 special right triangle from AOPS

The harder questions are the ones when given the length to the 60 degree of the 30-60-90 special right triangle or
the length to the 90 degree of the 45-45-90 special right triangle so make sure you can get them fast and right.

practice here  (instant feedback)

more practices (instant feedback)

See if you can solve all these questions as they are countdown problems.
(hint : lots of Pythagorean triples or applicable special right triangle ratio concept)

from Regents prep (high school level)

Videos/articles on math for this week: