Math Is Fun Forum

sydneydad

Member

Registered: 2014-03-16

Posts: 9

Confusing question

Hi,

I'm helping my 10yr old son to solve the attached question but I'm confused on how to solve the problem as there are 2 criteria it mentioned in the question - "for 10 carts the total..." and "for 20 carts the total....". Appreciate if anybody can guide me on how to solve this problem.

Cheers

sydneydad

Member

Registered: 2014-03-16

Posts: 9

Re: Confusing question

Attach is the question....

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Confusing question

Hi;

I am getting that 110 cm.

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In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

sydneydad

Member

Registered: 2014-03-16

Posts: 9

Re: Confusing question

Hi bobbym,

Can you let me know how you were able to get 110cm ?

Cheers

Hi;

I am getting that 110 cm.

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Confusing question

Hi;

c is a fully extended cart. There is 1 of them for each

s is a short cart because it is inside another cart.

c + 9s = 290

c + 19s =490

Subtract the top equation from the bottom.

10 s = 200

s = 20 so each short cart is 20 cm. Plug back into the first equation

c +180 = 290

c = 110.

Check by plugging into the second equation

c + 380 = 490

c = 110.

So c is 110 cm.

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

sydneydad

Member

Registered: 2014-03-16

Posts: 9

Re: Confusing question

Hi bobbym,

Thank you so much for the elaborate explanation, this will make it easier for me to explain to my son. If I want to teach my son on solving this kind of question what kind of math topic should I read on so I can help him in solving this kind of questions down the track ?

Cheers

Hi;

c is a fully extended cart. There is 1 of them for each

s is a short cart because it is inside another cart.

So c is 110 cm.

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Confusing question

He will need to understand how to solve a linear equation so he will need some Algebra. Then he will need to know how to solve a set of 2 simultaneous equations.

How old is your son and is he old enough to become a member? Send him in here and here he will learn from Yoda, the Jedi Master that instructed me.

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

sydneydad

Member

Registered: 2014-03-16

Posts: 9

Re: Confusing question

He will need to understand how to solve a linear equation so he will need some Algebra. Then he will need to know how to solve a set of 2 simultaneous equation.

How old is your son and is he old enough to become a member? Send him in here and here he will learn from Yoda, the Jedi Master that instructed me.

He is 10yrs old. I will Google and brush up about linear equation and algebra so I can help him out. Do you know of any website that post this kind of questions that I can use to give him more questions for practise ?

Cheers

ShivamS

Member

Registered: 2011-02-07

Posts: 3,648

Re: Confusing question

Lots of sites. Google linear equation problems. Try mathopolis or mathwarehouse.

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Confusing question

Yes, MIF make very nice pages for instruction on this site. Want the links?

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

Bob

Administrator

Registered: 2010-06-20

Posts: 10,143

Re: Confusing question

hi sydneydad

Welcome to the forum.  Try here:

http://www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/syste … tions.html

Bob

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Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything;  you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you!  …………….Bob