| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:That impossible 'maths' question... | |
| Posted by: | Anuj Gupta | |
| Date/Time: | 08/06/15 09:29:00 |
| Andy writes: "Anuj, you've missed the point of the question in the same way that the tweeting students did. It didn't ask them to solve the equation, it asked them to derive it." To which Barry responds: "Neither Andy nor I took issue with the premise off your post, Anuj (although, I would). The students misunderstood (or at least didn't understand the question - which is slightly different) just as you misunderstood it." The exact text of the question can be found here: http://www.theguardian.com/science/alexs-adventures-in-numberland/2015/jun/05/how-to-solve-the-maths-gcse-question-about-hannahs-sweets-that-went-viral#img-1. It is entirely possible, that there is a part (b) to this question. However, I couldn't find one on the websites I searched including The Guardian, The Telegraph and the BBC. So, Andy, based on the text of the question, no - one is not required to "derive" anything, but simply solve a rather trivial quadratic equation. I don't believe I have misunderstood the question, Barry. I admit that in the interest of brevity I paraphrased it in my original post. Now that I know that we have a relatively pedantic audience, I'll refrain from doing this. My original point is simply this - maths is an important life skill. It inculcates analytical and critical thinking, creative problem solving and lateral thought. For institutions like The Guardian or The Telegraph to protest at the perceived difficulty of such problems does our children a great disservice, and results in the continuing dumbing down of this country. |