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hughee99

(16,113 posts)
15. Yes, the real world is full of conflicting requirements.
Wed Dec 9, 2015, 10:48 AM
Dec 2015

Should a child's standardized test math question have them though? Is the goal to determine the child's proficiency in math, or their ability to infer the "right" things into a question?

NEITHER answer meets all three rules unless you decide that one rule is more important than the other.

You have 2 constraints, both of which must be followed:
buy at least one of each balloon type
Don't spend more than $10

You have 2 goals:
Buy as many balloons as you can.
Come as close to $10 as you can, without going over.

Any answer that doesn't fall within the constraints is clearly wrong. These two answers meet all the constraints, but each sets a precedence on which of the two goals is more important.

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).


As I said below, without changing the 3 rules at all, let me impose an order on them

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

I've changed none of the rules, but I have specified what the most important goal is. Does this change your answer?

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

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
Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Education»A 4th Grade standardized ...»Reply #15