Any maths wizards on here please? Updated

ViolaLass

jack_pott wrote: »

Assuming that you're expected to look up (or remember) the formula for a pyramid volume rather than derive it, then the remainder of the puzzle is only primary school arithmetic as it is.

Reversing the formula for volume is a bit harder than primary school! I find that students struggle a surprising amount with working backwards from a given volume.

ViolaLass

bsms1147 wrote: »

Or just to think of as many solutions to a problem as possible.

No, of course you won't get marks for being a clever !!!!!! in exams, but as ViolaLass says, exam questions are tightened to the point where (usually) there isn't the scope for being one. That's not to say it isn't fun or interesting to have some lateral thinking on a wednesday evening. If only everyone was as enthusiastic about thinking outside the pyramid.

I loved maths at school, still do now. I enjoy(ed) being a clever !!!!!! too.

It's only because I know that particular MyMaths prep that I can be sure in this case. I might otherwise have wondered all the things that have been mentioned on this thread. I don't think the suggestions have been unreasonable, given that people didn't know the background.

[Deleted User]

When I was at school I did a modern maths syllabus called SMP instead of traditional maths. When I left, my employer wanted to know which I'd done, and when I told him he said "Oh, you'll struggle with the maths, then.". He was right, I had to work hard to keep up with those who had done traditional maths.

I've just Googled SMP, and it's still on the go according to Wikipedia! There's no wonder we're turning out kids who can't do maths if they're still teaching a syllabus that employers realised was useless as long as 40 years ago.

claire21

jack_pott wrote: »

Quite, but we live in a society that regards it as normal to leave school unable to do basic maths, and that's not good for the economy. So long as those who can do the maths they were taught at school remain in a minority it's likely they'll continue to get labelled as weird geeks and nerds etc., and there'll be a consequential shortage of kids who aspire to be scientists and engineers rather than pop idols and celebs.

I don't think it's normal not being able to do basic maths, the thread was not about aspiring to be a scientist of engineer it's was about a bit of homework for a kid. I'm 46, think I'm ok at maths and I couldn't answer the question. If you think I aspired to be a pop start you are very much mistaken.

getmore4less

ViolaLass wrote: »

I'm afraid you're the one overcomplicating this. What the OP hasn't said is that this is from a prep about volumes of square-based pyramids (I know because I've set it) so yes, it is about volume. By 'the same material'. they mean literally 'if we dismantled pyramid 1 and built pyramid 2'.

If there is missing information then apologies.

bsms1147

Algebraically...

H1 = 147
L1 = 230
W1 = 230
H2 = ?
L2 = 290
W2 = 290

V2 = V1

V1 = (H1 x L1 x W1)/3
V2 = (H2 x L2 x W2)/3

(H2 x L2 x W2)/3 = (H1 x L1 x W1)/3
H2 x L2 x W2 = H1 x L1 x W1
H2 = (H1 x L1 x W1)/(L2 x W2)
H2 = (147 x 230 x 230)/(290 x 290)
H2 = 7776300/84100
H2 = 92.46m

Robisere

[IMG]http://C:\Users\BobWill\Documents/hypot.odg[/IMG]

[Deleted User]

claire21 wrote: »

I don't think it's normal not being able to do basic maths, the thread was not about aspiring to be a scientist of engineer it's was about a bit of homework for a kid. I'm 46, think I'm ok at maths and I couldn't answer the question. If you think I aspired to be a pop start you are very much mistaken.

I've long since passed the age when I can remember what it's like to be 14 years old, so I'll reserve judgement about whether it's a reasonable question for a kid. If you think you're ok at maths but couldn't answer the question, then I think you are under the impression that it's normal not to be able to do basic maths.

claire21

jack_pott wrote: »

I've long since passed the age when I can remember what it's like to be 14 years old, so I'll reserve judgement about whether it's a reasonable question for a kid. If you think you're ok at maths but couldn't answer the question, then I think you are under the impression that it's normal not to be able to do basic maths.

I'm really not in the mood to have a debate. (Wish I had just posted on a homework site and at least then it stays on subject and not wanders off on a subject about "basic maths".

As I said I think I'm ok at maths, I think I'm also OK at Latin, both enough to get me by in what I do, I've never had a problem with maths in my daily life, so horses for course I guess. Now if it had been a problem I would have looked for further info....just like I've done here in the case of my sons revison. So the next time in my daily life when someone says to me....see that pyramid over there, I want a bigger one in the garden...what size do you think will fit....I will now be able to give them an answer over a pint in the pub!

[Deleted User]

claire21 wrote: »

I think I'm also OK at Latin

Now that definitely is something I can't do, and it's not because I didn't do Latin at school either!