Anyone here a math genius?

Captain Morgan · 01-22-2011, 10:46 AM

A friend on facebook posted this problem from her son's 6th grade math. I'm clearly an idiot, cause I can't figure it out.

If y*=3y-1, then what is 3*+5?

Seems to me that you have to solve for the y and also for the exponent, but I can't figure out how.

Amber Lamps · 01-22-2011, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Morgan

A friend on facebook posted this problem from her son's 6th grade math. I'm clearly an idiot, cause I can't figure it out.

If y*=3y-1, then what is 3*+5?

Seems to me that you have to solve for the y and also for the exponent, but I can't figure out how.

What does the "*" represent? Never mind I get it... you think you're dumb! Hahahaha

EpyonXero · 01-22-2011, 12:10 PM

Is y* supposed to be y^x where x is a variable?

Trip · 01-22-2011, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EpyonXero

Is y* supposed to be y^x where x is a variable?

yeah what was said above, the way you got it typed doesn't make sense and it's like his teacher made shit up. * is generally thought of as multiplication.

Amber Lamps · 01-22-2011, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trip

yeah what was said above, the way you got it typed doesn't make sense and it's like his teacher made shit up. * is generally thought of as multiplication.

Yep....

At first glance I was like WTF! I ASSume that * means "x" as in y to the x power.

Captain Morgan · 01-22-2011, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trip

yeah what was said above, the way you got it typed doesn't make sense and it's like his teacher made shit up. * is generally thought of as multiplication.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amber Lamps

Yep....

At first glance I was like WTF! I ASSume that * means "x" as in y to the x power.

That's what I initially thought as well. but yeah, I also think it should be written as:

If y^x = 3y-1, then what is (3^x) + 5?

EpyonXero · 01-22-2011, 12:28 PM

I dont think that was copied right, if solve for x you get a complex number.

Amber Lamps · 01-22-2011, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Morgan

That's what I initially thought as well. but yeah, I also think it should be written as:

If y^x = 3y-1, then what is (3^x) + 5?

I keep coming up with 12.5...

y=2
x=2.5

Trip · 01-22-2011, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EpyonXero

I dont think that was copied right, if solve for x you get a complex number.

yep, there is some math in there that is not 6th grade level, i think there is some missing info that the teacher gave. I don't remember logarithms that early.

EpyonXero · 01-22-2011, 12:38 PM

I put it in Wolfram Alpha to see if I was missing something.

01-22-2011, 10:46 AM	#1
Captain Morgan Let's do another U-turn Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Indiana Moto: 2009 V-Strom Posts: 3,816	Anyone here a math genius? A friend on facebook posted this problem from her son's 6th grade math. I'm clearly an idiot, cause I can't figure it out. If y=3y-1, then what is 3+5? Seems to me that you have to solve for the y and also for the exponent, but I can't figure out how.

01-22-2011, 12:10 PM	#3
EpyonXero AMA Supersport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Redneck Riviera, FL Moto: 2003 VFR800f6 Posts: 2,531	Is y* supposed to be y^x where x is a variable? __________________

01-22-2011, 12:28 PM	#7
EpyonXero AMA Supersport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Redneck Riviera, FL Moto: 2003 VFR800f6 Posts: 2,531	I dont think that was copied right, if solve for x you get a complex number. __________________