Simultaneous equations without algebra ?
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Simultaneous equations without algebra ?
Dear All
I am confused about how to solve the following problem without using simultaneous equations or algebra.How do you explain the method to a 10 year old ?
1 banana and 1 pear cost 21 p ; 3pear and 2 bananas cost 54 p
What is the cost of 1 pear ?
Please help us !
Queenma
I am confused about how to solve the following problem without using simultaneous equations or algebra.How do you explain the method to a 10 year old ?
1 banana and 1 pear cost 21 p ; 3pear and 2 bananas cost 54 p
What is the cost of 1 pear ?
Please help us !
Queenma
Re: Simultaneous equations without algebra ?
1 banana and 1 pear = 21pQUEENMA wrote:1 banana and 1 pear cost 21 p ; 3pear and 2 bananas cost 54 p
What is the cost of 1 pear ?
so 2 bananas and 2 pears = 42p
3 pears and 2 bananas = 54p take away the 2 bananas and 2 pears equals 1 pear
so 1 pear =54p - 42p
1 pear = 12p
Re: Simultaneous equations without algebra ?
wow - thanks 999mum !
that was great - simple and quick !
Queenma
PS: May I ask, did you just figure it out or are there some strategies for these kind of sums that one must know - I do feel quite 'unintelligent' with some of these questions !
that was great - simple and quick !
Queenma
PS: May I ask, did you just figure it out or are there some strategies for these kind of sums that one must know - I do feel quite 'unintelligent' with some of these questions !
Re: Simultaneous equations without algebra ?
In fact 999mum used the standard simultaneous equation method, but she did it so smoothly you didn't notice. The first step was to manipulate one or both of the given pricings so that they both had the same number of bananas. Once you've done that, you can subtract one pricing from the other and the resulting pricing only involves pears, not bananas.
Re: Simultaneous equations without algebra ?
after this step introduce gentle algebra is not so bad. Call it B and P, make either B or P the subject of the equation and out pops the answer.