Can you solve this math Q?

[WOM]

Mrs WOM just emailed it to me. We're stumped. I solved it with a decimal number, and she says I can't do that. (No explanation why.)

"A sequence contains three positive numbers. The following is true about the numbers in the sequence: (i) the product of the first and second numbers equals the third number; (ii) the product of the second and third numbers is 180; and (iii) the second number is five times the third number. Determine the product of the three numbers in the sequence."

[MsD]

Can you solve this math Q?

No, I was right first time, 36.

[San Bernardhinault]

Can you solve this math Q?

Why can't a be a non-integer? It has to be. We're only told it's a positive number.

Edit: and MSD is right. Edit again: or not, now

[WOM]

Can you solve this math Q?

Can you show me the three numbers?

[Southport Zeb]

Can you solve this math Q?

5,6,30

The product of 6 and 30 is 180 and 6 x 5 is 30, so the second Nd third numbers must be 6 and 30. The first number must be 5 if it's product with the second number (6) is the third number (30).

[Hugh Fatbastard]

Can you solve this math Q?

.

[MsD]

Can you solve this math Q?

Have confused myself now, I thought 36 then 1080.

[MsD]

Can you solve this math Q?

The second number is five times the third, so 30, then 6.

[San Bernardhinault]

Can you solve this math Q?

a x b = c
b x c = 180
b = 5 x c

therefore

(5c) x c = 180
c ^ 2 = 36
c = 6

therefore

b = 5 x 6 = 30

a x 30 = 6

a = 0.2

a x b x c = 36

[WOM]

Can you solve this math Q?

Right, but the product of the first and second equals the third, so what's the first?

I came up with .2 x 30 x 6 = 36, but she says now. I don't get why, though. It only says 'positive', not 'whole'.

[WOM]

Can you solve this math Q?

Okay, LLR came up with the same as I did.

[Duncan Gardner]

Can you solve this math Q?

Two apples, three clementines and a banana cost 72 pence.

Three apples, a clementine and two bananas: 79 pence

An apple, two clementines and three bananas: 69 pence.

How much for one of each fruit?

[Southport Zeb]

Can you solve this math Q?

The green grocer has gone to the hassle of making up these packs of mixed fruit. It's a bit cheeky to come along now and ask him just for an individual piece of fruit. If you don't want them all now they will last for a few days.

[Duncan Gardner]

Can you solve this math Q?

We don't all live in metropolitan sophisticated Sefton yer know.

I was there for the weekend recently. Stayed a few blocks from the station. Don't remember seeing a greengrocer. Met some pleasant locals on the train back from seeing Spandau Ballet in Liverpool.

[Janik]

Can you solve this math Q?

I strongly suspect the answer is meant to be 5,6,30 and whoever wrote the question has bogged up the phrasing. It probably should have read (iii) the third number is five times the second number.

[WOM]

Can you solve this math Q?

If she gets the 'correct' answer (or question) from someone, I'll update you. Thanks again all.

[Hugh Fatbastard]

Can you solve this math Q?

Janik wrote: I strongly suspect the answer is meant to be 5,6,30 and whoever wrote the question has bogged up the phrasing. It probably should have read (iii) the third number is five times the second number.

+1

[Rogin the Armchair fan]

Can you solve this math Q?

The final demand is "determine the product of the THREE numbers in the sequence". Which is not simply restating the third number.

I strongly suspect the answer is 900.

[WOM]

Can you solve this math Q?

Here's the source:

http://www.cemc.uwaterloo.ca/resources/potw/2014-15/POTWC-14-NN-PA-27-P.pdf

[WOM]

Can you solve this math Q?

From this: http://www.cemc.uwaterloo.ca/resources/potw.php

[MsD]

Can you solve this math Q?

That does not rule out fractions, and if it was 900 it wouldn't be a pesky problem for anyone old enough to understand the question.

I got 36 in seconds, then second guessed because the first number then didn't make sense as a whole number, which you'd stated it had to be in the opening post.

[WOM]

Can you solve this math Q?

Yeah, I think I've convinced her that it doesn't say 'whole number' or anything. She's coming around to it.

[seand]

Can you solve this math Q?

There's an error in the question, isn't there? Should say the third number is 5 times the second, not vice versa. Pretty simple then.

[Muukalainen]

Can you solve this math Q?

It looks like the main purpose of the exercise is to understand what is needed. You have to find only the product of the three numbers. Using LLR's correct solution:

La Lanterne Rouge wrote: a x b = c
b x c = 180
b = 5 x c

therefore

(5c) x c = 180
c ^ 2 = 36

= a x b x c

[Sam]

Can you solve this math Q?

Ignore me, didn't realise the thread had a second page...