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redtom 11-01-2009 10:16:15 97.84.161.29 251316 Report to Moderator	Trying to help daughter with homework. She didn't bring her book home, just the work sheet. Here goes:Consecutive letters of the alphabet starting with A are given increasing consecutive integer values. If H+K+L+N=2005, then the average of all 26 of the consecutive integers is? A)491, B)498, C)503.5, D)505.5. Show your work. Just so you know my head hurts just typing this. thanks [Reply]   [No Email]
greygoat 11-02-2009 08:53:15 98.125.73.9 251422 Report to Moderator	Re: OT:Help with kids Algebra, anyone? in reply to redtom, 11-01-2009 10:16:15   Our only child, a girl, teaches speech, english, and reading/literature, and now has her doctors degree, but has no mind for math, nor do I. She took a basic algebra course 4 years, in college, and 4 summers of summer school, and finally a fifth year of college, in order to finally pas the math requirement----WHICH SHE HAS NEVER EVER USED SINCE. I feel that the require- ments should be fined tuned to the career goals, and an english major, (Straight A's) shouldn't be forced to endrue a math course that they'll never use .   [Reply]   [No Email]
redtom 11-01-2009 18:53:27 97.84.161.29 251383 Report to Moderator	Thank you in reply to redtom, 11-01-2009 10:16:15   Thanks for the tutoring. Who would've dreamed we have so many math whizzes here on this forum. Thanks again   [Reply]   [No Email]
Pooh Bear 11-01-2009 17:23:14 66.11.243.131 251364 Report to Moderator	Re: OT:Help with kids Algebra, anyone? in reply to oilburnerman, 11-01-2009 10:16:15   bjb in Tx from Ne said: (quoted from post at 14:18:26 11/01/09) One recent example I used algebra recently where most would not think of it was to lock in my electric rates. Plan 1 was a 9.99 monthly charge plus something like 9.8 cents/kwh Plan 2 was a 4.99 monthly charge plus around 10.6 cents/kwh Plan 1 looks "cheaper" due to the lower rate per kwh, however a bit of math showed you would need to be a consumer of something like 1000kwh/ month for plan 1 to be the cheaper alternative. A little bit of math goes a long way...... Actually, plan 1 is cheaper, but not by much. The break even point is 625kwh. Use more than 625kwh and Plan 1 will save you money. At 1000kwh Plan 1 costs you $107.99 and Plan 2 costs you $110.99 Pooh Bear (aka Fluff For Brains)   [Reply]   [No Email]
bjb in Tx from Ne 11-02-2009 05:50:51 141.197.12.183 251414 Report to Moderator	Re: OT:Help with kids Algebra, anyone? in reply to Pooh Bear, 11-01-2009 17:23:14   I couldn't remember the exact numbers when I did it back in march, and I didn't figure the exact crossing point for the example, more of just anecdotal evidence where algebra and critical thinking can be used in daily life.....   [Reply]   [Send Email]
bjb from Ne in Tx 11-02-2009 05:50:24 141.197.12.183 251413 Report to Moderator	Re: OT:Help with kids Algebra, anyone? in reply to Pooh Bear, 11-01-2009 17:23:14   I couldn't remember the exact numbers when I did it back in march, and I didn't figure the exact crossing point for the example, more of just anecdotal evidence where algebra and critical thinking can be used in daily life.....   [Reply]   [Send Email]
Cas 11-01-2009 16:42:10 69.205.81.158 251356 Report to Moderator	Re: OT:Help with kids Algebra, anyone? in reply to redtom, 11-01-2009 10:16:15   I understand the learning concept of teaching the young mind to be flexible. The theory is we will be able to analyze some of the more puzzling concepts as we go thru life. THANK GOD I AM ONLY GOING THRU LIFE ONCE...   [Reply]   [No Email]
Crem 11-01-2009 16:04:26 98.125.120.127 251346 Report to Moderator	Re: OT:Help with kids Algebra, anyone? in reply to redtom, 11-01-2009 10:16:15   I sent the problem to my grandson and here is his reply. h=h k=h+3 l=h+4 n=h+6 So... 4h+13=2005 h=498 a=h-7 a=491 then you can do a arithmetic sequence... 491+492+493...+516) + 516+515+514...+491) = 1007*26 (I'm not sure if you followed that) then divide by two since you added two of them together 1007*26/2 = 13091 divide by 26 gives you 503.5 (C) I think that's right, if nothing else it was a nice break to my English homework   [Reply]   [Send Email]
kruser 11-01-2009 15:50:32 75.145.182.121 251343 Report to Moderator	Re: OT:Help with kids Algebra, anyone? in reply to redtom, 11-01-2009 10:16:15   Been over 30 years since college - going to have to ask my 12 year old daughter about this! Thanks for the answers.   [Reply]   [No Email]
Billy Shafer 11-01-2009 14:27:12 63.20.11.233 251336 Report to Moderator	Re: OT:Help with kids Algebra, anyone? in reply to redtom, 11-01-2009 10:16:15   My head hurts just reading it. I need a BEER.   [Reply]   [No Email]
James Howell 11-02-2009 14:38:08 144.162.41.170 251433 Report to Moderator	Re: OT:Help with kids Algebra, anyone? in reply to Billy Shafer, 11-01-2009 14:27:12   Aye carumba! Muchos mas numeros! Uno, dos, tres, quatro ... Una mas Dos Equis cerveza por favor.   [Reply]   [No Email]
ScottyHOMEy 11-01-2009 10:48:41 70.105.229.167 251322 Report to Moderator	Re: OT:Help with kids Algebra, anyone? in reply to redtom, 11-01-2009 10:16:15   Algebraic H=H K=H+3 L=H+4 N=H+6 so that H+K+L+N=4H+13 H+K+L+N=2005 (given) 4H+13=2005 (substituting) 4H=2005-13 4H=1992 H=1992/4 H=498 Because of the given consecutive increasing integer values, and H occuring as the 8th letter, and A as the first, A=H-7 A=491 By the same logic Z=A+25 Z=516 (A+Z)/2=(491+516)/2=1007/2= Answer C) 503.5 There'a another way through calculus to get there, but she's not taking calc.   [Reply]   [No Email]
dave roeker 11-01-2009 10:48:00 97.96.167.18 251321 Report to Moderator	Re: OT:Help with kids Algebra, anyone? in reply to redtom, 11-01-2009 10:16:15   we know that consecutive integers have to go up by 1,so h+3=k h+4=L h+6=n h+k+L+n=substituting h for the other letters gives 4h +13 =2005 4h=1992 h=498 then m =h+5 m=503 and n=m+1 or n=504 average of m and n(the middle of the alphabet) is 503.5   [Reply]   [Send Email]
MarkB_MI 11-01-2009 10:43:29 166.203.214.235 251320 Report to Moderator	Re: OT:Help with kids Algebra, anyone? in reply to redtom, 11-01-2009 10:16:15   H + K + L + N = 2005 H + (H + 3) + (H + 4) + (H + 6) = 2005 4H + 13 = 2005 4H = 1992 H = 498 Now, to find the average, we could figure out the values for each letter, add them up and divide by 26. But we know that M is the thirteenth letter and N is the fouteenth, the average of all the letters must be halfway between M and N. M is 503 (H + 5), and N is 504, so the average of M and N is 503.5.   [Reply]   [No Email]
bjb in Tx from Ne 11-01-2009 10:34:46 69.59.3.177 251318 Report to Moderator	Re: OT:Help with kids Algebra, anyone? in reply to redtom, 11-01-2009 10:16:15   Let H=x, K=x+3, L=x+4, N=x+6 x+x+3+x+4+x+6=2005 4x+13=2005 4x=1992 x=498 H=498; G=497 F=496; E=495; D=494; C=493; B=492; A=491 Z=491+25=516 (A is the first letter, 25 remaining) Average of an arithmatic series = (1st+last)/2 (491+516)/2=503.5 (C) I gave you the answer but you should still have your daughter work through it so she learns....   [Reply]   [Send Email]
Stan in Oly, WA 11-03-2009 09:25:26 208.64.241.151 251514 Report to Moderator	Re: OT:Help with kids Algebra, anyone? in reply to bjb in Tx from Ne, 11-01-2009 10:34:46   Hi bjb, Your statement about the practical value of algebra being largely in the critical thinking skills it promotes is a point I've considered making on this forum a number of times. In my personal experience, algebra seems second only to geometry as a discipline that teaches the methods of the application of pure logic to problem solving. The reason I haven't posted that observation is that it seems that those who would understand it already know it, and those who don't know it don't care. I'm amazed...well, appalled really...that so many people seem to believe that they're going to be able to get through their lives just fine without making any effort to learn to think well. That seems about as reasonable as deciding that for the rest of your life you'll get all your information from rumors. But hey, shop on. All the best, Stan   [Reply]   [Send Email]
135 Fan 11-01-2009 10:55:48 68.149.56.30 251324 Report to Moderator	Re: OT:Help with kids Algebra, anyone? in reply to bjb in Tx from Ne, 11-01-2009 10:34:46   When would a question like this ever come up in the real world? Dave   [Reply]   [No Email]
bjb in Tx from Ne 11-01-2009 11:18:26 69.59.3.177 251326 Report to Moderator	Re: OT:Help with kids Algebra, anyone? in reply to 135 Fan, 11-01-2009 10:55:48   That in itself may never come up, however the critical thinking aspect helps expand the mind to apply math to several problems. One recent example I used algebra recently where most would not think of it was to lock in my electric rates. Plan 1 was a 9.99 monthly charge plus something like 9.8 cents/kwh Plan 2 was a 4.99 monthly charge plus around 10.6 cents/kwh Plan 1 looks "cheaper" due to the lower rate per kwh, however a bit of math showed you would need to be a consumer of something like 1000kwh/ month for plan 1 to be the cheaper alternative. A little bit of math goes a long way......   [Reply]   [Send Email]
135 Fan 11-01-2009 11:35:50 68.149.56.30 251328 Report to Moderator	Re: OT:Help with kids Algebra, anyone? in reply to bjb in Tx from Ne, 11-01-2009 11:18:26   The power companies obviously know a little math and use it to their advantage to try and rip people off. Dave   [Reply]   [No Email]
bjb in Tx from Ne 11-01-2009 12:10:59 69.59.3.177 251332 Report to Moderator	Re: OT:Help with kids Algebra, anyone? in reply to 135 Fan, 11-01-2009 11:35:50   The can only rip you off if you don't do the math and let them.....   [Reply]   [Send Email]
135 Fan 11-01-2009 23:11:43 68.149.56.30 251400 Report to Moderator	Re: OT:Help with kids Algebra, anyone? in reply to bjb in Tx from Ne, 11-01-2009 12:10:59   They will always find a way to squeeze you for more money. Electricity (and other utilities) should cost a set amount for kw/h's. They give these options knowing that most people will choose the plan that "seems" cheaper without actually figuring it out. I highly doubt that they tell you it only saves you if you use lots and lots of electricity. Dave   [Reply]   [No Email]
bison 11-02-2009 02:40:05 161.184.178.195 251404 Report to Moderator	Re: OT:Help with kids Algebra, anyone? in reply to 135 Fan, 11-01-2009 23:11:43   seems like always favour the biggest,the more you buy,the cheaper it gets. So how much would one have to buy to get it for free. Algebra makes my head spin,never had no use for it   [Reply]   [No Email]