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#1 2006-09-01 09:18:31

1995Gt5.0
Guest

Real number

Here is the problem.
Represent each quantity with a real number.
A country exported $60,000,000 less than it imported, creating
a negative trade balance.

Is this as simple as -60,000,000? Please help as I am stumped on this. Thanks

#2 2006-09-01 09:28:59

Dross
Member
Registered: 2006-08-24
Posts: 325

Re: Real number

That doesn't make sense to me... which quantities? 60,000,000 is already a real number...??? Is that all the question states? Is there anything else in the text that may clarify what it means?


Bad speling makes me [sic]

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#3 2006-09-01 09:39:32

1995gt5.0
Guest

Re: Real number

That is all the problem states. Another one of the same problems states the same represent each quantity with a real number and the problem is "The erosion of 5 centimeters (cm) of topsoil from an
Iowa corn field". That is why I am stumped. I don't know if they want the number just so they can say I know what a real number is or what....

#4 2006-09-01 10:10:35

MathsIsFun
Administrator
Registered: 2005-01-21
Posts: 7,711

Re: Real number

Which would be another negative of course. Maybe they just want to see if you know that a real number can be negative?


"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..."  - Leon M. Lederman

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#5 2006-09-07 06:13:57

krassi_holmz
Real Member
Registered: 2005-12-02
Posts: 1,905

Re: Real number

But why real?
The quantities are integers?


IPBLE:  Increasing Performance By Lowering Expectations.

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#6 2006-09-10 12:30:31

pickaboo
Member
Registered: 2006-09-10
Posts: 1

Re: Real number

how do i work out  this math problem 2/3 X +3/4 Y
X=-1/2 and Y=-2/3 please anybody

Last edited by pickaboo (2006-09-10 12:42:03)

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#7 2006-09-10 15:59:02

MathsIsFun
Administrator
Registered: 2005-01-21
Posts: 7,711

Re: Real number

Use Substitution: (2/3)x + (3/4)y = (2/3)(-1/2) + (3/4)(-2/3)

Then multiply the fractions: -2/6 + -6/12
Common denominators: -2/6 + -3/6
Add: -5/6

Answer: -5/6


"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..."  - Leon M. Lederman

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