variables

Puzzle Answer: Chopped Square

by Tom Chlebowski on April 29, 2010

in Puzzles

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For our Chopped Square puzzle, we attempted to find the side length of a square that was chopped up into 6 congruent rectangles.

Given a perimeter of 112 units for each of the six rectangles, what’s the length of each side of the square? Algebra steps in to help us out here.

Let’s first gather what we know. [click to continue…]

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Puzzle: Chopped Square

by Tom Chlebowski April 28, 2010 Puzzles
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For today’s puzzle, we’ll have a nice blend of geometry and algebra, the visual and the abstract.  Geometry is easily applicable to the real world, whether you’re playing billiards or building a skyscraper.  And it’s often the case that a bit of proficiency in algebra is required to solve a geometry problem.  Hence, algebra also affects [...]

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Puzzle Answer: Fruity Prices

by Tom Chlebowski April 14, 2010 Puzzles
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It’s an unusual method for determining prices, surely, but maybe the vendor is a math nerd and can’t help it. :)

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Puzzle Answer: Do You Know Your XABCs?

by Tom Chlebowski April 7, 2010 Puzzles
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It was noted that this is first a puzzle and secondly an algebra problem, since algebra is not needed to find the answer! For all of the size and variables this expression has,

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Puzzle: Do You Know Your XABCs?

by Tom Chlebowski April 5, 2010 Puzzles
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For today’s puzzle, we have the following multiplication sequence: (x – a) · (x – b) · (x – c) · (x – d) … and it continues on in this manner through the alphabet, ending with … (x – y) · (x – z). What does this expression simplify to? The individual terms being [...]

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5 Keys to Algebra Success: Variables Are Your Friends (2 of 5)

by Leo Shmuylovich March 1, 2010 Success Factors

Last time we talked about why it was so important to be able to do basic arithmetic before you tackle Algebra. Hopefully since then you’ve been inspired, perhaps even by the Olympic spirit, to practice your times tables and other key skills. Keep up that practice and keep those skills strong, even as we go [...]

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