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hughee99

(16,113 posts)

4. The issue is that there are 3 rules, so it depends on which one you give precidence to.

Tue Dec 8, 2015, 11:29 PM

Dec 2015

<There's a picture of a small balloon for $1.25 and a large balloon for $2.99>

Sam has $10 to buy balloons at the Village Gift Shop. He will follow all of the rules listed below to choose his balloons.

He will buy at least one of each size of balloon
He will buy as many balloons as he can
He will spend as close to $10 as he can without going over.

The first rule is simple, you spend $4.24 on 1 large balloon and 1 small balloon. Now you have 5.76 cents left.

You could buy 4 more small ballons for $5.00, and you'd now have 6 total balloons and will have spent $9.24.
You could buy 1 large balloon for $2.99 and 2 small balloons for $2.50 and will have spent $9.73

If the primary goal was to buy the most balloons, answer 1 gives you 6 balloons (compared to 5).
If the primary goal was to come as close to $10 without going over, answer 2 gives you $9.73 (compared to $9.24).

The question says follow ALL of the rules listed below, but two of the rules give you different answers and there is no single answer that follows ALL the rules.

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A 4th Grade standardized test practice question from my 4th grade daughter [View all] hughee99 Dec 2015 OP

It's not unusual, or new. jeff47 Dec 2015 #1

I'll bite. I think there is only one correct answer. Warren Stupidity Dec 2015 #2

The issue is that there are 3 rules, so it depends on which one you give precidence to. hughee99 Dec 2015 #4

Just a stupid test Lithos Dec 2015 #3

That was my initial reaction as well, but when my daughter explained her two answers, hughee99 Dec 2015 #5

Rule 3 disallows two different answers. CBGLuthier Dec 2015 #6

Only if you assume the rule of getting the most balloons is more important than hughee99 Dec 2015 #7

I assume following all three rules is what is required. CBGLuthier Dec 2015 #8

It was written on the question exactly as I wrote it in the post. hughee99 Dec 2015 #9

The rules are simple Perogie Dec 2015 #10

It depends on how you read it. hughee99 Dec 2015 #11

What part of you have to meet all three rules is unclear? Warren Stupidity Dec 2015 #12

Yes, the real world is full of conflicting requirements. hughee99 Dec 2015 #15

I got what you meant the first time you posted it Perogie Dec 2015 #13

Didn't mean to offend you, but I believe you're mistaken when you say hughee99 Dec 2015 #14

It is well worded. But math is not only number facts. This question tests number sense Mass Dec 2015 #16

So in other words, she should have made assumptions not explicitly listed in the question, hughee99 Dec 2015 #17

This is an example of an "open response" problem. Dr. Strange Dec 2015 #18