SEARCH HOME
Math CentralQuandaries & Queries

search

Question from Steven:

A B C D E F (G)
1 3   100 100 33 (67)


D is divided by A and B to give E and F the difference between E and F is G

2 4 110 210 105 53 (52)


C is added to D to give the new D number.

3 5 120 330 110 66 (44)
4 6 130 460 115 77 (38)
5 7 140 600 120 86 (34)


Following the pattern you might expect a massive increase in C to result in a significant decrease in G but...

6 8 1000 1600 267 200 (67)


G actually increases and goes back to square 1 Why?

Steven,

In the first several rows the decrease in G is due to the fact that 1/A - 1/B [= (B-A)/AB ] is decreasing, not due to the increase in C.

Good Hunting!
RD

About Math Central
 

 


Math Central is supported by the University of Regina and The Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences.
Quandaries & Queries page Home page University of Regina PIMS