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    The document discusses two math word problems and provides multiple solutions to each problem at varying levels of complexity. For the first problem, the simplest solution is to deduce that if x=3, y=6, and z=1, all the given equations are satisfied. For the second problem, the most direct solution is to deduce that the nurse weighs 64 kg, Tony weighs 73 kg, and the baby weighs 5 kg, making the total combined weight 142 kg. More complex algebraic solutions are also presented but are deemed unnecessary. The document advocates for finding the simplest valid approach rather than always using the most advanced techniques.

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    Public Page372 374

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    37 views3 pages
    The document discusses two math word problems and provides multiple solutions to each problem at varying levels of complexity. For the first problem, the simplest solution is to deduce that if x=3, y=6, and z=1, all the given equations are satisfied. For the second problem, the most direct solution is to deduce that the nurse weighs 64 kg, Tony weighs 73 kg, and the baby weighs 5 kg, making the total combined weight 142 kg. More complex algebraic solutions are also presented but are deemed unnecessary. The document advocates for finding the simplest valid approach rather than always using the most advanced techniques.

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    The document discusses two math word problems and provides multiple solutions to each problem at varying levels of complexity. For the first problem, the simplest solution is to deduce that if x=3, y=6, and z=1, all the given equations are satisfied. For the second problem, the most direct solution is to deduce that the nurse weighs 64 kg, Tony weighs 73 kg, and the baby weighs 5 kg, making the total combined weight 142 kg. More complex algebraic solutions are also presented but are deemed unnecessary. The document advocates for finding the simplest valid approach rather than always using the most advanced techniques.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    37 views3 pages

    Public Page372 374

    Uploaded by

    vikas_ojha54706
    The document discusses two math word problems and provides multiple solutions to each problem at varying levels of complexity. For the first problem, the simplest solution is to deduce that if x=3, y=6, and z=1, all the given equations are satisfied. For the second problem, the most direct solution is to deduce that the nurse weighs 64 kg, Tony weighs 73 kg, and the baby weighs 5 kg, making the total combined weight 142 kg. More complex algebraic solutions are also presented but are deemed unnecessary. The document advocates for finding the simplest valid approach rather than always using the most advanced techniques.

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    of 3

    372

    Note that if (x, y, z) is a solution, then so are (x, y, z), (x, y, z),
    and (x, y, z). (No other ombination of minus signs will work, sin e an
    even number of minus signs is ne essary to make the sign of xyz orre t.)
    Hen e, we may assume that x, y, z > 0 (sin e none of x, y, z an equal 0).
    The Cau hy{S hwarz Inequality says that if a, b, c, A, B , and C are
    real numbers, then
    
    
    a2 + b2 + c2 A2 + B 2 + C 2 (aA + bB + cC)2 ,

    with equality if and only if (a, b, c) is a s alar multiple of (A, B, C).


    By the Cau hy{S hwarz Inequality, we have
    36

    x2 + y 2 + z 2

    x2
    y2
    z2
      
     
     2
    1
    2
    3
    x
    +y
    +z
    = 36 .
    x
    y
    z

    Sin e equality holds, then (x, y, z) must be a s alar multiple of

    1 2 3
    , ,
    x y z

    Thus, x = xk , y = 2k
    , and z = 3k
    , for some k > 0, and so x2 = k, y2 = 2k,
    y
    z
    and z 2 = 3k.
    Substituting ba k into r
    the original
    se ond equation, we
    r obtain6k = 9,

    3
    3
    6
    and so k = 2 , when e x = 2 = 2 , y = 3, and z = 92 = 3 2 2 . This
    gives the four solutions above, as laimed.
    Also solved by GEORGE APOSTOLOPOULOS, Messolonghi, Gree e; CAO MINH QUANG,
    Nguyen Binh Khiem High S hool, Vinh Long, Vietnam; COURTIS G. CHRYSSOSTOMOS, Larissa,
    
    Gree e; RICHARD I. HESS, Ran ho Palos Verdes, CA, USA; and RICARD PEIRO,
    IES \Abastos",
    Valen ia, Spain. There were two in omplete solutions submitted.

    Problem of the Month


    Ian VanderBurgh

    Sometimes we mathemati ians like to use a sledgehammer when perhaps a smaller instrument would be in order.
    Problem 1 (2009 Gauss Contest, Grade 7) If x, y , and z are positive integers

    with xy = 18, xz = 3, and yz = 6, what is the value of x + y + z ?


    (A) 6
    (B) 10
    (C) 25
    (D) 11
    (E) 8

    If we weren't in Grade 7, then here are two ways that we might ta kle
    this problem:

    373
    Solution 1 Sin e xy = 18, xz = 3, and yz = 6, by multiplying these equations we have (xy)(xz)(yz) = 18(3)(6), or x2 y2 z 2 = 182 , or (xyz)2 = 182 .
    Sin e x, y, and z are positive, then xyz > 0, so xyz = 18. We an
    now ombine this with the original three equations as follows.
    18
    Sin e xy = 18, we have xyz
    =
    , or z = 1. Sin e xz = 3, we have
    xy
    18
    18
    xyz
    =
    ,
    xz
    3

    or y = 6. Sin e yz = 6, we have xyz


    yz
    Therefore, x + y + z = 3 + 6 + 1 = 10.

    Solution 2 Sin e xy = 18 and xz = 3, then

    Sin e yz

    18
    ,
    6

    or x = 3.

    xy
    18
    ,
    =
    xz
    3

    = 6, then (6z)z = 6, or z 2 = 1. Sin e z


    y = 6z = 6. Sin e xz = 3 and z = 1, then x = 3.
    Therefore, x + y + z = 3 + 6 + 1 = 10.

    or yz = 6, or y = 6z .
    > 0, then z = 1, and so

    These are two great solutions using standard te hniques for solving systems of equations. But they're hardly suitable for Grade 7 students. This
    problem is a perfe tly good Grade 7 problem, though.
    Solution 3 We are told that x, y , and z are positive integers. Sin e xz = 3
    and 3 is a prime, then x and z must be 1 and 3, or 3 and 1, respe tively.
    Let's look at the ase x = 1 and z = 3. Sin e x = 1 and xy = 18
    and the number that we multiply 1 by to get 18 is 18 itself, then y = 18.
    Therefore, yz = 18(3) = 54, whi h disagrees with the equation yz = 6.
    Thus, x = 1 and z = 3 is not the orre t ombination. (For the re ord, I
    never hoose the orre t line in the gro ery store either.)
    So we look at the ase x = 3 and z = 1. Sin e x = 3 and xy = 18 and
    the number that we multiply 3 by to get 18 is 6, then y = 6. (The produ t
    yz does in fa t equal 6, as required). Thus, x = 3, y = 6, and z = 1.
    Therefore, x + y + z = 3 + 6 + 1 = 10.

    It's easy to get \trapped" into using the high powered te hniques that
    we know, but sometimes there is a ni er solution that uses less ma hinery.
    Here is a problem in a similar vein that has developed a following in
    the math ontest world.
    Problem 2 (1988 UK S hools Mathemati al Challenge) Weighing the baby at

    the lini was a problem. The baby would not keep still and aused the s ales
    to wobble. So I held the baby and stood on the s ales while the nurse read
    o 78 kg. Then the nurse held the baby while I read o 69 kg. Finally, I held
    the nurse while the baby read o 137 kg. What is the ombined weight of all
    three (in kg)?
    (A) 142
    (B) 147
    (C) 206
    (D) 215
    (E) 284
    Again, there is a standard system-of-equations type solution whi h is
    worth seeing. To save onfusion, we'll give the narrator a name hosen at
    random, say, Tony.

    374
    Solution 1 Let Tony's weight be x kg, let the baby's weight be y kg, and let
    the nurse's weight be z kg.
    The ombined weight of Tony and the baby is 78 kg, so x + y = 78.
    The ombined weight of the baby and the nurse is 69 kg, so y + z = 69. The
    ombined weight of Tony and the nurse is 137 kg, so x + z = 137.
    We an show this system of equations ni ely in a visual way:
    x +

    y
    y

    +
    +

    z
    z

    =
    78 ,
    =
    69 ,
    = 137 .

    By the way, laying out the equations in this fashion is a really useful thing to
    do and gives you a mu h better idea of what to do than by writing
    x +
    y +
    x +

    y
    z
    z

    =
    =
    =

    78 ,
    69 ,
    137 .

    In any event, the \ni e" way of writing the equations allows us to see that
    adding the three equations is a really good idea. When we do this, we obtain
    2x + 2y + 2z = 78 + 69 + 137, or 2(x + y + z) = 284, or x + y + z = 142.
    Noti e that we don't a tually need to determine x, y, and z at all!
    But, again, we don't need to do anything nearly that fan y. In fa t, we
    an get away without doing any algebra at all.
    Solution 2 First, we look at the fa t that the ombined weight of Tony and
    the baby is 78 kg and the ombined weight of the nurse and the baby is 69 kg.
    Sin e the baby's weight is in luded in both of these totals, then Tony must
    be 78 69 = 9 kg heavier than the nurse (that is, the di eren e between
    Tony's weight and the nurse's weight is 9 kg).
    But the ombined weight of Tony and the nurse is 137 kg. We want to
    nd two numbers that add to 137, one of whi h is 9 greater than the other.
    To nd these numbers, we an subtra t 9 from 137 to get 128 and then divide
    by 2 to get 64. The numbers 64 and 64 + 9 = 73 di er by 9 and add to 137,
    so must be the weights, in kg, of the nurse and Tony, respe tively.
    Sin e the ombined weight of Tony and the baby is 78 kg and Tony
    weighs 73 kg, then the weight of the baby is 5 kg.
    Therefore, the ombined weight of all three is 64 + 73 + 5 = 142 kg.
    leap.

    So put your sledgehammer ba k in the garage, and think before you

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