nkh

Looking at the Test the Nation website I found the following qustion.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/testthenation/t...apuzzle7.shtml

Am I right in thinking that there is more than one way of solving the problem? I get a different answer to the one given and am sure I have correct logic.

Hammy Hamster

I got the same answer as they did. Not much help am I

fast bloke

Different logic is to multiply the one on the left by 6 and then multiply the answer by the one one on the left, but the answer is still 36.

What is your logic and your answer?

dsmith

You can treat it as a pair of simultaneous equations and get 96.87 - but I dont think thats what they intended

Deano

nkh

I get 12. (Double RHS) times (LHS times RHS)

Scooby Dooby Blue

(6x6) x (1x1) = 36

fast bloke

NHK

(Double RHS) times (LHS times RHS)

For the first one RHS is 4 and LHS is 2

(double 4) times (2 times 4)
8 times 8

64

I see a flaw in your plan

dnb

Nic, I thought we had gon over multiplication before...

Using your (Double RHS) times (LHS times RHS) rule...
since when did 8 x (2 x 4) = 48? I thought it equalled 64...

They don't call you fast bloke for nothing do they

[Edited by dnb - 4/28/2003 10:50:24 AM]

Mickle

yup, I did the LHS by 6 and RHS by 1 and got 36 also

nkh

I just go and crawl under a rock somewhere...

<mutter. must remember multiplication and addition are different<\mutter>

markr1963

I'm with Deano and treated it as simultaneous equations

Here's how (L = left, R = Right )

2L + 4R = 48 EQ1
5L + 3R = 90 EQ2

multiply EQ1 by 3 and EQ2 by 4

6L + 12R = 144 EQ3
20L + 12R = 360 EQ4

take EQ3 from EQ4

14L = 224

L = 224/14 = 16

substitute L back into EQ1

2x16 + 4R = 48

R = (48-32)/4 = 4

But substiute back into EQ2

5x16 + 3x4 = 92 not 90

So I tried this

(2xL)x(4xR) = 48

rearrange and
LxR = 6

(5xL)x(3xR) = 90

rearrange and

LxR = 6

progress

So the last bowtie

(6xL)x(1xR)

which is the same as

6x1x(LxR) or 6x1x6 = 36

Result

dsmith

360-144=216 (not 224)

Deano

Felix.

You can't solve the problem by a simultaneous equation as the integer does not corolate with the variable. i.e 2L, 5L, 6L do not have any relationship with each other. They use to use these to trick us in maths exams.

The test is a random pattern that you have to spot to solve the last bowtie

[Edited by Felix. - 4/28/2003 1:27:47 PM]

[Edited by Felix. - 4/28/2003 1:28:43 PM]

markr1963

Deano

Well spotted, that man , slight fcukwit moment there!

Curiously I get the same answer as you now

Tino

2x4=8x6=48
5x3=15x6=90
6x1=6x6=36
BANG!! My brain's just broke :d

[Edited by Tino - 4/28/2003 1:55:56 PM]