Posts: 3396
From: Here, there and everywhere.
Registered: Jun 2004

posted September 15, 2004 07:35 PM         

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Problem...

You have a five liter pitcher and a three liter pitcher. You need to get exactly four liters of water into a car. Not a drop over, not a drop under. There aren't any measurements on the pitchers except 5ltr. and 3ltr.

We know the answer, do you???

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From: Vancouver USA
Registered: May 2004

posted September 15, 2004 07:53 PM         

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I don't know the answer... but here's what I would do

Use the 3ltr one and one thrid times (eyeballing, of course) ... and hope for the best

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posted September 15, 2004 09:09 PM         

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That would be common sense, but you have to remember, this is seventh grade math and you must think of the perfect answer! Otherwise your car would blow up! (oxymoron, huh)
Good guess, but not the answer.

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From: Vancouver USA
Registered: May 2004

posted September 15, 2004 10:17 PM         

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ALRIGHT!! I've got it!!

You take the 5ltr pitcher and fill it with water. Fill the 3ltr pitcher with the water from the 5ltr. Pour the remaining 2ltrs into the car. Then do it again.

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posted September 16, 2004 12:03 AM         

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YEAH!!!!! A gold star for you!!!
Of course, hubby, Jay and I argued about how to solve the problem. Hubby figured it out. I said in reality, you would fill the 5 liter pitcher and pour it into the tank or whatever till it was full, or take it to the shop and let them figure it out. To hell with the tricks! Stupid education system.
Go read some OSHO!

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posted September 16, 2004 08:41 AM         

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The only stipulation I have with the problem is that if the containers don't have measurements, then how does one know if there is the exact amount of fluid in them? Do they have to be filled to the very top, an inch from the top. etc.???

I used:

5x + 3x = 4
8x = 4
x = 1/2

Which results in filling up half of each container to combine into 4 liters.

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posted September 16, 2004 11:07 AM         

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Aphrodite,
I had mentioned that the only markings on the pitchers were 5 and 3 liters. It doesn't pay to be a lateral thinker for 7th grade math.

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posted September 16, 2004 11:16 AM         

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I'm curious if any of you math whizes out there can come up with another solution, something that would stump the teacher. Just for fun.

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Posts: 2805
From: dreamland
Registered: Jan 2004

posted September 16, 2004 03:27 PM         

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so when do u have to submit it?

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posted September 16, 2004 03:36 PM         

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Hi aqua,
Well I guess before all the water evaporates. :smile:
We have already figured out the answer the teacher wanted to see, just curious if there were any other possibilities. Take your time!
Have fun!

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posted September 18, 2004 01:38 AM         

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You haven't asked the question! Do you want to ask what we should be doing with the extra litre?

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