tricky maths

[aaman1]

Hi
Can anyone help with this question.

36 posts were spaced evenly along a road 7km long. What was the distance in metres between each pair of posts?

Many thanks.

[no_ball]

7km is 7000 metres.
36 posts therefore 35 gaps, divide 7000 by 35 to get the distance

[Guest55]

A diagram would help - think how many gaps there will be between 36 posts.

Hint - try a smaller number e.g. 5 posts

POST ......... POST ......... POST ......... POST ......... POST

get the idea?

[Tree]

Aaaah guest55 I wish you had been my maths teacher

[Tree]

Although the above method only works if you assume the posts are infinately thin otherwise you would have to express the answer in terms of post thickness=d(m) ie (7000-36d)/35

[Guest55]

It is a poorly worded question because you have to assume that a post is at the beginning and end of the distance as well as dimension-less (or, as you say Tree, have no thickness).

Once you 'see' a question like this you use the correct number to divide by .... that's what learning Maths is about

[no_ball]

I am a bit lost here, was my answer incorrect?

[mystery]

No, but you forgot to use the phrase "a diagram would help"

[no_ball]

Thanks mystery, sometimes forget parents need tutoring first

[Guest55]

no_ball - your post told the OP what to do but would not help in tackling another such question. Understanding and 'seeing' the question is more important ...