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Mass

(27,315 posts)
16. It is well worded. But math is not only number facts. This question tests number sense
Wed Dec 9, 2015, 01:27 PM
Dec 2015

and priorities, two notions she should have learned to be able to solve this question.

Priority tells us that rule 1 is more important than rule 2 and rule 2 more important than rule 3.

Number sense tells us that to get the highest number of balloons, you only buy the smaller ones after having bought one of each.

And the third rule fixes the upper limit and the operation (divide what remains after having bought one balloon of each type by the price of the smallest balloon.

This said, what is clear is that either those notions have not been taught to your daughter OR she did not master them. It is too bad because those are important notions for everyday maths.

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
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