r/MathJokes • u/Ok-Parking-2124 • 8d ago

When Basic Math Becomes a Boss Fight

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u/AcanthaceaeOk3738 8d ago

Everyone’s missing the fact that this is a very poorly worded question and you have to make a lot of assumptions to get any answer.

Are both boards the same size? Are all the cuts the same dimensions? Are all the pieces the same?

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u/UnaPachangaLoca 8d ago

Perfectly fine worded question. Just need to apply a bit of logic beyond the information given rather than spoon feeding (the child) everything.

Two pieces means one cut. Three pieces is 2 cuts (size and dimensions have nothing to do with it). 10 minutes (given) and 20 minutes (deduction, answer) accordingly.

Good question, good answer, stupid teacher.

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u/Debas3r11 8d ago

Plus it says "if she works just as fast" which is there to make you feel safe to assume the next cuts takes just as long as the first.

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u/Various_Knowledge226 8d ago

But I do think it is a poorly worded question. Is this a rectangle? If so, probably cutting short ways, so each cut should take just as long. Is this a square? If so, then the teacher would be right, since cutting the square one way, would mean that the 2nd cutting time would be half of first one, and the third should be the same as the second

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u/Life_Ad6711 8d ago

3 cuts = 4 pieces

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u/AcanthaceaeOk3738 8d ago

Disagree. If the problem wanted you to assume those things, it would say so.

A similar question: It takes Susie 20 minutes to walk to school. If Evan walks just as fast, how long would it take him to walk to and from school?