Algebra Problem....

[ptatohed]

No sour grapes here, and I did posit my answer long before ptato posted his solution. The fact is ptato's solution isn't any more correct than anyone else's.

Would you make this assumption if someone's life was on the line?  There is absolutely no information in the problem statement to support this answer, and the assumptions you're making may not apply.  For instance, what if this isn't base 10 (decimal) system?  It's dangerous to assert an answer when you don't have all the facts.

Relax dude.  The correct answer is 21 and that's that.   

 

[mudpuppy]

Relax dude.  The correct answer is 21 and that's that.   

Sure it's 21.  Except when it isn't.

 

[ptatohed]

Sure it's 21.  Except when it isn't.

Right.  But, in this case, the correct answer to this particular riddle/problem/brain teaser is 21.

http://www.someecards.com/life/school/viral-algebra-problem-horses-horseshoes-boots/  "1 + 20 = 21" 

http://player.mashpedia.com/player.php?q=3QMoJVHutw8 

http://www.today.com/popculture/horses-cowboy-boots-horseshoes-internet-s-new-brain-teaser-t102620  "... making the correct answer 21."

http://www.howtochoosealaptop.com/the-viral-game-from-facebook-of-the-horse-the-horseshoe-and-the-boot-solution/  "The result is 21, not 42 as many users claim."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NAktKD0fNs 

http://www.smash.com/horseshoe-math-problem-sending-internet-meltdown/  I like this quote:  "There is, of course, a correct answer. Try and work it out and then watch the video above to find out if you got it correct. ... And no fighting."

 

[knight1fox3]

Sure it's 21.  Except when it isn't.

Agreed. 

 

[Ramnares P.E.]

Agreed. 

Also agreed, despite the sites ptatohed cited claiming otherwise. 

 

[Road Guy]

I think it's logical to assume that 2 boots = 1Boot * 2.

But I think the problem should be written so that the 2 boots are (level) next to each other......

 

[mudpuppy]

This is like arguing politics.  You're not going to change anyone's mind, even though they're wrong.

 

[matt267 PE]

opcorn:

 

[Road Guy]

I don't really give a ****- but some of you need to get down off the cross with the "calculations and peoples life's depending on it"... Other people need the wood...

 

[P-E]

Sure it's 21.  Except when it isn't.

Said the ace and the jack. 

 

[ptatohed]

Hah.... I know, I should have phrased the original question in post #1 a la PE-style:

What is 'most nearly' the value obtained?

A.) 21

B.) 22

C.) 42

D.) 48

 

[Ramnares P.E.]

"Most nearly" changes the question entirely because it is now open to the assumptions you're making.  Even so, this question is far too open ended to even qualify as a PE exam question (level of difficulty aside).  There would be too many people asking for this question to be thrown out.

 

[mudpuppy]

Said the ace and the jack. 

Right, an ace & jack could be 21 or it could be 11.  There are times (very rare) in tournament play that you might want to hit (actually double down) on a 21, depending on what your opponents are doing. So it can pay not to narrow your frame of reference to the point that 21 is always the best you can do.  Similarly I wouldn't narrow my frame of reference here to assume the symbol of one boot = 1/2 of the symbol for two boots, without any other definitive knowledge. 

In any case, it's been a while since we've had a good argument around here. Back in the day we'd have arguments that went on for pages and pages, but that settled down quite a bit when benbo drifted away.  So ptato, I applaud you for livening things up here!

 

[knight1fox3]

Right, an ace & jack could be 21 or it could be 11.  There are times (very rare) in tournament play that you might want to hit (actually double down) on a 21, depending on what your opponents are doing. So it can pay not to narrow your frame of reference to the point that 21 is always the best you can do.  Similarly I wouldn't narrow my frame of reference here to assume the symbol of one boot = 1/2 of the symbol for two boots, without any other definitive knowledge. 

In any case, it's been a while since we've had a good argument around here. Back in the day we'd have arguments that went on for pages and pages, but that settled down quite a bit when benbo drifted away.  So ptato, I applaud you for livening things up here!

Worley too. lol

 

[MA_PE]

the boot would not fly it would be thrown off of the treadmill.

 

[Supe]

Are the centaur's horse shoes moving at the same speed as the treadmill?

 

[Audi Driver P.E.]

There is no treadmill.  Or is there?

 

[bradlelf]

21

 

[matt267 PE]

What is the treadmill equal too?

 

[kevo_55]

It depends if it is meant for an airplane or not.