136 items are filed under this topic.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
16 golfers |
2012-05-17 |
 |
From Nohemi: Can 16 golfers each play in foursomes for 6 days?
I found the answer for 5 days, but is it possible to do it for 6. Answered by Robert Dawson. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Golf for 12 |
2012-04-20 |
 |
From glenn: need to schedule 12 players for a 20 week season Answered by Victoria West. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Golf for 12 |
2012-04-20 |
 |
From Bram: We are heading on a golf trip with 12 guys, playing 6 rounds. Can you please provide the formula whcih which have the least duplication.
Thanks in advance,
Bram Answered by Victoria West. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
16 golfers |
2012-04-20 |
 |
From steve: i have 16 golfers, 4 in "A" flight , 4 in "B" flight , 4 in "C" and 4 in "D"
We are playing 4 rounds (4 teams of 4) and every group must have a player from the A B C an D
flight, and in no round may 2 people have already played together! Answered by Victoria West. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Golf for 12 |
2012-04-18 |
 |
From Brent: I have a golf group that is set up as follows: 12 players, broken into
2 teams of 6. I am looking for a formula to have one player from team A
play against one player for team B each round, not repeat the match, and
ride with as little duplication as possible. I know that it is not statistically
possible with these numbers and will have at least one round that has
duplication. Answered by Robert Dawson. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Golf for 10 |
2012-04-18 |
 |
From Bob: Question from Bob:
Hi,
I am trying to set up pairings for 4 rounds of golf with only 10 golfers (2 foursomes and 1 twosome) and trying to minimize duplications. Any formulas or help? Answered by Victoria West and Harley Weston. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
A 14 man golf league |
2012-04-12 |
 |
From Paul: 14 man golf league. Need to have alternating 2 man teams for 18 weeks. Need to rotate foursomes so no one is stuck in twosome more than once. Can you help? Answered by Robert Dawson and Victoria West. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Golf for 17 |
2012-03-29 |
 |
From Richard: Hi Guys,
I have a scheduling problem which I don't think you have covered before.
Apologies if you have!
I have 17 golfers due to play 4 rounds of golf.
Each round will consist of 3 threeballs and 2 fourballs (ie. 17 golfers in 5 groups)!
Is it possible to come up with a schedule where each golfer plays
with different partners in each round? Answered by Robert Dawson. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Converting from base 4 to base 10 |
2011-11-29 |
 |
From anjg: How to convert base 4 number 2^11 to base 10 number? Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
1 divided by 0 and infinity |
2011-10-24 |
 |
From ritika: we say that one divided by zero gives us infinity, then why zero multiplied by infinity does not gives us one????????????? Answered by Robert Dawson. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Expanded form |
2011-10-12 |
 |
From Chris: Write this number in expanded form
4 326 180 501
Thanks!!! Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Golf for 14 |
2011-07-11 |
 |
From Doug: We have 14 players playing over 4 days. can we play with different players every day and keep the 3 x foursomes and 1 x pair format Answered by Victoria West. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Golf for 12 |
2011-07-07 |
 |
From Jim: I have a golf trip scheduled with a total of 12 guys. We are playing
three rounds of golf. For round 1 Players A B C D must play together.
Is there a formula that would allow me to set up the other 8 foursomes
with no repeats or minimal repeats?
Thanks. Answered by Victoria West. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
A line tangent to f(x)=1/x |
2011-06-05 |
 |
From Michael: A line tangent to f(x)=1/x in the first quadrant creates a right triangle
with legs the x-axis and the y-axis. Prove that this triangle is always
2 square units regardless of where the point of tangency is. Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
16 golfers and 8 rounds |
2011-05-26 |
 |
From Gerry: 16 golfers and 8 rounds. To have each player play with as many others as possible. Answered by Victoria West. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Arrangements of ten letters |
2011-04-15 |
 |
From Mustafa: In how many ways can the ten letters of the word GELATINOUS be arranged
in a line so that the vowels are in alphabetical order (not necessarily together)
when read from left to right? Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
sin x = -0.25 |
2011-03-29 |
 |
From Wayne: How do you solve for x in the equation sin x = -0.25
the answer is 3.394 and 6.030 but I don't know the steps they used to calculate this Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
The number of points on a line is equivalent to that of a surface |
2011-03-24 |
 |
From Gary: I I was reading about how the number of points on a line is equivalent to that of a surface. This was done by taking any point on a line then taking alternating digits and making them as points on an x and y axis therefore points on a surface.The problem is as i see it if you just take a line then hold it over a surface you have just put the points on the line in a one to one correspondence with the points directly under it on the surface.Now you have all the rest of the surface which cannot be mapped onto the line since it is already used up.What am i missing? Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
1/0 and 2/0 |
2011-02-11 |
 |
From Dixit: How are the infinite number obtained by dividing 1 / 0 and 2 / 0 are different? Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
16 golfers |
2011-01-22 |
 |
From Jack: I am responsible for setting up groups for 16 golfers for 7 days, is there a formula to calculate playing partners so that everyone gets to play with each person? Answered by Victoria West. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
16 golfers |
2011-01-16 |
 |
From Kenneth: Our group will play 12 rounds.
We are 16 golfers.
How can I schedule 12 days of differing foursomes limiting repeats in the foursomes Answered by Victoria West. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
10 golfer playing 5 rounds |
2011-01-09 |
 |
From Jeff: need pairing for 10 golfer playing 5 rounds of golf. Answered by Victoria West. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Golf pairings |
2010-12-17 |
 |
From AL: I have a golf tourney where we have fourteen players and are playing five times/rounds of golf. I am trying to pair up two threesomes and two foursomes so we don't play with the same person twice or the least amount of times. Answered by Victoria West. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Draw a figure with 16 triangles using only 6 line segements |
2010-12-16 |
 |
From Jill: How can you draw a figure with 16 triangles using only 6 line segements? Answered by Stephen La Rocque. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Can a function be both even and one to one? |
2010-10-09 |
 |
From Tracy: Can a function be both even and one to one? Answered by Harley Weston. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
12 coins |
2010-07-07 |
 |
From Eden: We have 12 coins same in size and shape and also weight.
But among these, one coin which has same size and shape, but not in weight
and we can't know that this coin was lighter or heavier.
We must decide which coin was lighter or heavier among these 12 coins in
4 times of weighting with scale. Answered by Stephen La Rocque and Tyler Wood. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
More on carbon 14 dating |
2010-05-26 |
 |
From Malachi: I am doing carbon 14 dating and i figured out the rule for taking the percent of the original C-14 to figure out how old it is. how do I work the equation the other way around to find the percent remaining, from how long ago the objects organic mater died Answered by Harley Weston. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
The value of 1 acre |
2010-05-13 |
 |
From Rebecca: If 38,121 sq feet equals $19,846.58 at 75% of its current value, what would the value of 1 acre be at 100% of value? Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
A 14 side well house cover |
2010-03-12 |
 |
From Kenneth: I am 35 yr I am wanting to build a well house cover. I'm trying to figure out how long the pieces need to be and what angle they need to be for a 4 ft dia with 14 side well house. I would love an answer but would also like to know how to figure it in the future. Thanks Kd Answered by Harley Weston. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
The difference of the two numbers |
2010-02-15 |
 |
From Steve: The difference of the two numbers 'abcdef ' and ' fdebca ' is divisible by 271. prove
that b = d and c = e. Answered by Claude Tardif. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
1^3 + 2^3 + 3^3 +4^3 ... n^3 = ? |
2010-01-29 |
 |
From ireimaima: Hi..
Can u please help me with this question..
I find that when i test eg: n=2 for n (n+1) /4,
it seems that it does not giving me the right answer of 1^3 + 2^3 = 9
but 3/2... i'm confuse..can u please help me..thanks so much
Prove that:
1^3 + 2^3 + 3^3 +4^3………………………………..n^3 = n (n+1) /4 Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
15 golfers 3 rounds fivesomes |
2009-12-23 |
 |
From Dewey: I have 15 golfers playing 3 rounds of golf. We will be playing in fivesomes. Any formula that has everyone playing with a different person each round?
Thank you.
Dewey Answered by Robert Dawson. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Bases larger than ten |
2009-12-14 |
 |
From Nick: For numbers in bases larger than ten, what are the digits by mathematicians' conventions?
I assume the first 10 are always 0-9. I know two computer science conventions (for hexadecimal (A-F case-insensitively) and for base 85 (case-sensitivity plus 23 other characters)) and as a school student I learned that base 12 uses either T and E (which confused me when I thought they stood for Eleven and Twelve) or A and B, the latter as capitals only. Clearly, these conventions are in conflict.
I saw your reply in http://mathcentral.uregina.ca/QQ/database/QQ.09.99/magin1.html as accessed a few minutes ago but hope that in the 10 years since then mathematicians have arrived at a convention. Have they?
Thank you.
--
Nick Answered by Claude Tardif. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Ascribing a value to 1/infinity |
2009-11-19 |
 |
From Jack: Hello, and, in advance, thanks for answering.
I came across the problem of ascribing a value to 1/∞ (one divided by infinity) recently, I heard many things:
that it is infinitesimally small (i.e. .0000000000...1 the most intuitive), that it is 0 (the most ludicrous of them
all in my mind), and that it is not definable (which makes the most sense, although is a bit of a let down).
I know that lim (x->∞) 1/x = 0 and this is often used as an argument for all three possibilities. So
what's the ruling on this? And, I know this question has already been answered, but for a little modification;
is there any way to prove the answer that seems to be the most prevalently used (not definable as ∞ is a concept)
with mathematical logic? Or is it just because of the definition of ∞? Answered by Robert Dawson. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
One-eighth of one million dollars |
2009-11-16 |
 |
From Jarrett: what is 1/8 equal to out of a million dollars. Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
A 15 acre lot |
2009-09-26 |
 |
From Ronald: The front and back are equal and the two sides are equal what would
what would be the dimensions of a 15 acre lot? Answered by Harley Weston. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Dart teams |
2009-09-18 |
 |
From Sally: I have 14 dart teams. Each team has a home bar.Usually it is one week home, the next week away. I have 3 locations that have one board only, yet have 2 teams at each location. I have one location that has 2 dart boards, and 3 teams. The last location have 3 dart boards and 4 teams.Can you make me a schedule that will be home and away, and every teams plays each other twice. In case you are wondering, the bars sponsor the teams.Thank you. Sally Answered by Robert Dawson. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
10 golfers |
2009-09-06 |
 |
From Bill: We have 10 golfers scheduled to play over five days on vacation in November. Each day we will play in three groups of three and one foursome.
Is there an optimum solution that would assure that every golfer plays with every other golfer at least once while no golfer plays an inordinate number
of times with any other golfer or too often in a foursome? Answered by Victoria West. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
x^x = 1 |
2009-08-28 |
 |
From Waleed: x^x=1 Answered by Robert Dawson. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Golf for 15 |
2009-08-18 |
 |
From Judy: We have a group of 15 golfers that play a scramble with groups of 3. The problem is we play for 14 weeks. We want every
player to play at least once with everyone and no more that 3 times. I am working on this and have just about accomplished
the schedule, but with a few playing more than 3 times. I'm sure there must be some mathematical calculation to do this but I
have yet to figure it out. Answered by Victoria West. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
A golf league with 12 players |
2009-07-17 |
 |
From Jane: My weekly golf league has 12 players in 4 threesomes.
How many weeks would it take to play everyone once and not have too many
duplications? What would be the schedule each week?
Thanks Answered by Victoria West. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Twelve golfers |
2009-06-26 |
 |
From Fred: Hello-
There are twelve golfers in 3 foursomes for three days. Is there a
combination of four man foursomes that allow for no duplicates? In
other words, is there a formula to insure the greatest amount of
variety in the foursomes. Looking at it math like you have
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 grouped into four numbers each for three
days. So if your have the first day 1,2,3,4 in one group, 5,6,7,8 in
the second and 9,10,11,12 in the third what can you do for the next
two days to have the fewest duplicates or have the greatest variety
in the foursomes?
Thanks Answered by Karen Meagher and Victoria West. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
11 golfers playing 4 rounds |
2009-06-14 |
 |
From Brian: I have 11 golfers playing 4 rounds of golf. It would be great if we could play at least once with everybody. I realize we will have 2 foursomes and 1 threesome each round...can you help? Answered by Victoria West. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Omega 1 |
2009-06-03 |
 |
From Justin: Hello there, I was just wondering if the infinity in the extended
real number system is the same as w1 (or Omega 1, the order
structure of the real numbers) in the transfinite ordinals? Thanks
so much for your help with this question, I really appreciate it!
Sincerely,
Justin Answered by Robert Dawson and Harley Weston. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
The sum of the angles of a triangle |
2009-05-18 |
 |
From mary: prove that the sum of the three angles inside any triangle always add up to 180 degrees? Answered by Harley Weston. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
16 teams, 15 weeks, would like to pair up with no repeats. |
2009-05-12 |
 |
From Kimberly: 16 teams, 15 weeks, would like to pair up with no repeats. Thank you so very much. Answered by Robert Dawson. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
A golf schedule for 18 teams |
2009-04-21 |
 |
From laura: Could you help me form a golf schedule for 18 teams, playing a total of 8 weeks. Rotating the schedule each week so every team plays with a different team each week? I am using a shotgun format with 9 holes every week. Thank you for your input. Answered by Victoria West. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
The graph of y = 4x^-4 |
2009-04-07 |
 |
From lyric: tell whether the graph opens up or down.write an equation of the axis of symmetry
y=4x^-4 Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
More on the square root of 0.75 |
2009-03-30 |
 |
From Blaine: I read your response to How is the square root of 3/4 is greater than 3/4?
What I'm hoping for is a way for my students to use their own experience and number intuition to be able to make sense of the issue. As soon as my kids see "if y is this and x is this then..." their little eyes glaze over. Unfortunately, I can't come up with a way myself. Thank you for your help. Answered by Penny Nom and stephen La Rocque. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
0123456789 |
2009-03-25 |
 |
From Dr.: Many years ago I discovered that there are 33 numbers which,
when multiplied by 0123456789, simply rearrange the digits. Surprisingly
(to me at least) is the fact that the digits of all of those 33 numbers add up
to one of the 6 "cardinal" numbers 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8. For example
6 + 2 = 8 and 62 X 0123456789 = 7654320918 etc.
Another interesting (to me) fact is that only the cardinal numbers
1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8 rearrange the digits in the number 9876543210.
My question is: "Is this known to anyone but me and the people I have
told?" Answered by Robert Dawson. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
16 golfers |
2009-03-18 |
 |
From Bill: We have 16 golfers. We golf for 5 days, in foursomes. It should work out that each player plays with each other player 1 time exactly.
I just can't figure it out.
Thank you in advance!
Bill Answered by Claude Tardif and Victoria West. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
A 14 team league that is divided into 2 divisions |
2009-03-07 |
 |
From Ronnie: I have a 14 team league that is divided into 2 divisions. We have a total of 18 weeks to play. I would like for each team to play the team in their division twice. The remaining 6 weeks would be played with the other division. Any help would be appreciated. Answered by Chris Fisher and Victoria West. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
A shape with 10 sides |
2009-03-03 |
 |
From Sandra: One of my son's math questions is as follows:
Suppose I have a shape with 10 sides. I choose a vertex then draw lines to the other vertices that dont share sides with the first vertex. How many vertices will that be and why? Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
16 golfers playing one round of golf on each of four days |
2009-02-22 |
 |
From Jim: I have seen solutions for other combinations of setting up a golf trip but I haven't seen one for my group. We have 16 golfers playing one round of golf on each of four days. Is there a way for all of them to play in foursomes so that everyone gets to play with everyone else? Thanks for your consideration. Answered by Chris Fisher. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Cantor's cardinality |
2009-02-16 |
 |
From Justin: Hello, I was just wondering why the infinity from real numbers is smaller than Beth Two in the context of Cantor's cardinality set theory?
Justin Answered by Robert Dawson. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
0/0 and 1/0 |
2009-02-16 |
 |
From Justin: I was just wondering which is bigger 0/0 or 1/0?
Justin Answered by Robert Dawson and Harley Weston. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
12 golfers |
2009-02-04 |
 |
From david: 12 golfers playing in 3 four balls over five rounds. can everyone play with
everyone else at least once. Answered by Victoria West. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
A 28 week golf schedule |
2009-01-17 |
 |
From Don: You have a 12 man golf schedule playing 8 weeks. Can you
go further and make it a 28 week schedule. 3 foursomes. any help would be greatly appreciated. Answered by Victoria West. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
16 golfers |
2009-01-11 |
 |
From Bill: I have read many of your answers to similar questions but still need your assistance.
We have 16 golfers that will be playing in 4 groups of 4 each day on an upcoming golf vacation.
Can you suggest the best way to scheudle the individuals assigned to each daily foursome
so that we have the most diversity in foursomes throughout the vacation. I am trying to have evryone
play with as many members of the group over the week with the least amount of repetition.
If you would please provide it for both 6 and 7 days, since we are not sure yet how many days
we will be playing.
16 golfers-playing in groups of 4 each day-6 days
16 golfers-playing in groups of 4 each day-7 days Answered by Victoria West. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
18 golfers and 5 rounds |
2009-01-10 |
 |
From steve: We have 18 golfers 5 rounds .
Would like 3 foursomes and 2threesomes each day
Different groups each day. Answered by Victoria West. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
What is one trillion divided by 10? |
2008-12-09 |
 |
From mark: can you please tell me what one trillion divided by 10 is Answered by Robert Dawson and Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Aboriginal number groupings |
2008-09-04 |
 |
From Barbara: Our current place value system is based on the notion of 10s. Did Aborginal people use a similar system or did they group numbers differently? Answered by Harley Weston. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Divisibility by 11 |
2008-07-04 |
 |
From Peter: For what single digit value of n is the number n53nn672 divisible by 11? Answered by Leeanne Boehm. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
A golf tournament |
2008-06-24 |
 |
From Roland: We have a golf tournament, 12 players, three rounds. We want to pair so that we have pairings with as few duplications as possible. Answered by Janice Cotcher. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
A 10 acre square |
2008-05-12 |
 |
From RICHARD: I AM GETTING A 10 ACRE TRACT OF LAND OUT OF A 50 ACRE TRACT. ITS GOING TO BE PERFECTLY SQUARE.I NEED TO KNOW WHAT EACH PROPERTY LINE LENGTH WILL BE?ON ALL FOUR SIDES.AND THE TOTAL SQUARE FEET WILL BE IN THIS 10 ACRE TRACT? Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Division by zero |
2008-05-01 |
 |
From Bill: Why does multiplication have a favored status so as to make division by zero undefined? Answered by Harley Weston. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
WHY 144 where does this figure come from |
2008-04-19 |
 |
From Sean: Why do you use the number 144 to divide
EG. length of timber 2 inches x 8 inches x 14 foot = 1.5 cubic feet
Calculation is 2x8x14 =224 divide by 144 = 1.5 WHY 144 where does this figure come from Answered by Leeanne Boehm. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
A 100 acre square pasture |
2008-04-03 |
 |
From Richard: I need to know how many lineal feet there is around a 100 acre pasture that is square in shape. I am no longer able to get out and measure it myself, and cannot remember the math to compute it. Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
The product of two numbers is 1,000,000,000 |
2008-03-14 |
 |
From Henry: What two numbers that don't in zero when multiplied equals 1,000,000,000 and same with 1,000,000,000,000,000,000. Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Why is the number 1 neither prime nor composite? |
2008-02-07 |
 |
From ronni: why is the number 1 neither prime nor composite? Answered by Harley Weston. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Multiplying decimal numbers |
2008-02-05 |
 |
From alwyn: Why should when you Multiplying Decimal numbers is value becoming less and less? don't you think even decimal number is a quantity and in no chance when it multiplies its should become less or nil !!!
In fact all Multiplying and or adding the value will go up and only when you subtract and divide it should become less !! Answered by Stephen La Rocque and Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Multiplying numbers in bases other than 10 |
2008-01-08 |
 |
From Imaiya: In class we've been learning about numbers with a base other than ten. For example, base 7, base 5,
and base 6. What's really stumping me is how to multiply these numbers, when they aren't a base of 10.
I've had it explained to me once, but don't seem to understand it. Here are the equations, and I've listed the first few numbers for that particular base.
Base 5: 0,1,2,3,4,10,11,12,13,14,20 etc... The Equation: 34 x 42
Base 9: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,10,11,12,13,14, etc... The Equation: 56 x 78
If you could explain to me how to multiply numbers with any type of base, I'd really appreaciate it. Also
if you could show me how to do one of the questions that I listed, that would really help me =) Thanks so much,
and once again, thank you for your great site! Answered by Stephen La Rocque. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Base 10 to base 5 |
2007-10-09 |
 |
From Angela: I've been searching online for the past week and I cannot find an Algorithm to convert from base 10 to base 5. Can anyone give me a step-by-step instruction on how to do this? Answered by Stephen La Rocque. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Differentiate x^(1/3) using first principles |
2007-09-14 |
 |
From Sheila: our teacher gave us this question as a challenge and even he couldnt figure it out:
Differentiate x^(1/3) [aka the cube root of x] using first principles. i know the answer is 1/(3.x^2/3), but how is it possible using first principles? Answered by Harley Weston. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
If A is 1 and Z is 26 |
2007-06-29 |
 |
From Sue: If A is 1 and Z is 26 is there a word that when you multiply all the numbers instead of letters adds up to a million? Answered by Chris Fisher and Harley Weston. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
An odd number with 12 factors |
2007-06-27 |
 |
From Wilson: Do you know of any odd number that has 12 factors? Reply back today.
Because I have hand in a project tomorrow. Answered by Stephen La Rocque and Harley Weston. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Where will volume 13 go? |
2007-04-12 |
 |
From Shawn: A novice librarian shelved a twelve-volume set of encyclopedias in the following order from left to right. Volumes 8, 11, 5, 4, 9, 1, 7, 6, 10, 3, 12, and 2. Using her system, where will volume 13 go? Answered by Stephen La Rocque and Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Golf schedule |
2007-03-30 |
 |
From Jim: I am organising a golf break for 12 golfers playing in 3 fourballs over 5 days. I would like to maximise the number of different golfers each player can play with. Any help would br greatly appreciated. Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
14 golfers--6 days |
2007-02-02 |
 |
From tom: 14 of us are going golfing-- over the course of 6 days is there a formula that would allow us to have the chance to play with as many different partners as possible--2 foursome, and two threesomes Answered by Chris Fisher. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
A dinner group of 16 couples |
2006-11-02 |
 |
From Nancy: This is a real-world problem. I should know the answer but I don't. A friend is starting a dinner group of 16 couples, to be distributed across 4 houses. Each month she wants to have a different set of host houses (no problem) AND she doesn't want repeats among pairs. That is, if the Smiths and Joneses are together one month, they should not be together another month until all the combinations have been exhausted. How many valid combinations are there? Is there a formula that I can convert into a computer program? I will have to get the names from my friend and give her back the combinations as she would not be able to deal with the math formulation. Answered by Denis Hanson. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Golfing with 8 or 12 |
2006-02-13 |
 |
From Carolyn: I have a couple of questions that my dad asked me and I do not think it can be done in the manner he wants it to come out to.
He is going on a golf trip in June. There are going to be either 8 or 12 players playing 4 rounds of golf.
The questions that he says will not work and I do not know how to figure it out either is
4 Rounds of golf is for sure. 18 hole Rounds each
4 Players to a group
Either 8 or 12 players can every player play with every player in a group at least once during those 4 rounds.
If this can be done can you give me the combinations for both 8 and 12 , so I can help out my dad. Along with how you you figure this out. Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
A golf outing for 16 golfers |
2005-08-05 |
 |
From Bob: I have a golf outing fast approaching and I’m having a problem matching the golfers so that everyone plays a round of golf with every other golfer in the group.
My problem is this: I have 16 golfers playing 5 rounds of golf. I would like a different foursome for every round of golf, that is each round (5 total) an individual is playing with 3 other players he hasn’t played with as of yet. Can you crunch the numbers and get back to me?
The way I see it, we have 20 combinations (5 rounds x 4 golfers) with numbers 1 thru 16. Answered by Chris Fisher. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Divisibility by 15 |
2004-12-19 |
 |
From Lisa: My son was asked to find divisiblity rules for 15. We have been unable to find the answer. Does it exist? Answered by Leeanne Boehm and Denis Hanson. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Divisibility by 7 and 11 |
2004-10-13 |
 |
From Tammy: I'm stuck in class in Yr 7 And I'm finding it hard on our new topic Divisibility! When I try to find out what this means on Internet sites i can not understand the used symbols like algebra and so on. I'm stuck on the divisibility rules for the number 11! Answered by Penny. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Golfing with Norm |
2004-08-19 |
 |
From Norm: I am organizing a golf tournament with 6 American and 6 Canadian players. We play 3 rounds of golf. Is there any way to arrange that everyone plays without playing with the same person twice. Each foursome must consist of 2 Americans and 2 Canadians with one of each in a cart. Your help would be much appreciated. Answered by Claude Tardif. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
The "22" puzzle and the "1089" puzzle |
2004-04-22 |
 |
From Marcelle:
1. Choose 3 digits from 1-9
2. Make all the 2 digit numbers you can from these (6)
3. Add the 3 original digits and divide them into the sum from step 2.
The answer is always '22'. I just can't understand why. Can you please help.
Another one related to this is it:
1. Choose a three digit number ensuring the first and third digit are differnt by at least two.
2. Make the reverse three digit number and subtract the smaller one from the larger of these.
3. Take this answer and reverse it and add these two 3 digit numbers .
eg:
643 - 346 = 297
297 + 792 = 1089
it doesn't matter what numbers are used, the results are alwasy the same. eg 22 or 1089
Answered by Paul Betts. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Equivalent sets |
2004-03-06 |
 |
From A student: If A=(1,2,3,4,...) and B=(5,10,15,20,...), is A equivalent to B. Why or Why not ? Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
A fifteen sided polygon |
2004-03-05 |
 |
From Joann: WHAT IS THE NAME OF A FIFTEEN SIDED SHAPE? Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Digits in the decimal expansion |
2004-02-11 |
 |
From Leslie: In the decimal expansion of 1/17 what digit is in the 1997th place? Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
1/0 = ?? |
2003-12-09 |
 |
From Lisa: One of my students asked me a fractions question. She knows that 0/1
equals 0 but does 1/0 also equal 0? Answered by Walter Whiteley and Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
A riddle |
2003-11-19 |
 |
From Sarah: Ok, our teacher gave us this riddle, and I cannot for the life of me figure it out. He said that there are three problems with the following proof: Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
10,000 |
2003-10-08 |
 |
From Nathan: what two numbers make the product of 10,000. Neither number can end in a zero Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Converting from base 10 to base 5 |
2003-09-10 |
 |
From Susy:
My son, who is 9 in grade 5 has been asked to convert base 10 numerals into base 5. His first question of: 24(10) he has calculated to be 4x5 + 4x1 = 44 (5) The next question however is the tricky one.Ý We know the answer is supposed to be 100 but we find it difficult to get this in the way he understands it. 25 (10) = _________________ 100 (5) Can you help us figure out how we reach the answer. Answered by Claude Tardif and Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Converting to base 10 |
2003-08-28 |
 |
From Karen: My son is in 5th grade.Ý He is learning how to convert numbers from base 2 to base 10, and base 5 to base 10.Ý Can you explain it to me in the simplest terms? Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
A golf tournament |
2003-08-23 |
 |
From Dale: I am running a golf tournament with twelve golfers. We will be playing four rounds of golf. I don't want to schedule the same two players together more than twice (if possible). How would I make a schedule that each player would play at least once with every other player? I would appreciate any help that you can give me. Answered by Denis Hanson. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
39 consecutive natural numbers |
2003-08-19 |
 |
From A student: Prove that among any 39 consecutive natural numbers it is always possible to find one whose sum of digits is divisible by 11. Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
A function that is onto but not one-to-one where f:N-->N |
2002-12-06 |
 |
From Lisa: A function that is onto but not one-to-one where f:N-->N Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
8 squares from 12 sticks |
2002-10-08 |
 |
From A student: If you have 12 sticks the same size, how do you make them into 8 squares? Answered by Claude Tardif. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
11........1 |
2002-05-29 |
 |
From Un eleve: Démontrer que tout nombre impair non multiple de 5 admet un multiple de la forme:11........1 Answered by Claude Tardif. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
100 from four 9's |
2002-03-27 |
 |
From A student: My teacher gave us a math problem to try and figure out and I am stumped. The problem was this.... by only using four nines, how can you get an answer of 100? You can add, subtract, multiply or divide...anything you need to do ,but you can only use four nines. Answered by Leeanne Boehm. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
When will the calendar be the same as 2002? |
2002-02-20 |
 |
From John: When will the calendar be the same as 2002? I know the answer is 2013, but I don't know how to answer this mathematically, or if it is possible to do so. This is a ninth grade level algebra question my daughter received from her teacher. Any ideas? Answered by Chris Fisher, Patrick Maidorn and Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
What is 20 to the thousandth power? |
2002-02-12 |
 |
From Kristi: What is 20 to the thousandth power? Answered by Paul Betts. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Column doesn't add up to 100% |
2001-10-17 |
 |
From A student: why don't some tables I'm studying in a column add up to 100%? Example: N=338, but responses to questions asked in survey I'm studying equal of 24.3, 9.8, 43.8, DON'T add up to 100%. I'm assuming that some people surveyed out of the 338 didn't bother responding, but is there another problem related to proportion or ratio being used, but improperly labeled on graph?. Note at bottom of table says: "number in parenthesis are numbers of cases" and 338 was in parentheses. I'm lost. Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Dividing a circle |
2001-10-17 |
 |
From Ahmeen: I am having a hard time figuring out how a circle can be divided into 11 equal parts with only 4 cut allowed? My teacher gave this to us and I still can't cut my pie into eleven equal parts with only four cuts. Answered by Walter Whiteley. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
The 100 chart |
2001-09-28 |
 |
From Nich: Am I suppose to use the 100 chart for these questions. Question One: I am a 2 digit number my tens digit is 2 more than my one digit my 1 digit is between 4 & 6. What # am I ? Question Two: I am a 2 digit # I am greater than 40 but less than 60 my tens and ones digits are the same I am a odd number what am I ? Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
1:5 |
2001-09-27 |
 |
From Sandy: A colleague and I have a disagreement about dilutions. I seem to remember that I was taught (although it was a long time ago) that a RATIO was written thusly: 1:5 , and read " one part to five parts", for a total of 6 parts. On the other hand, a fraction is written: 1/5 and is read" one part in five" for a total of 5 parts. My colleague says that the ratio reads "one part in five" and is essentially the same as a fraction. Which is right? Have I been doing dilutions wrong all this time? I teach Animal Nursing and need to know where I can find a consise answer to such questions for making up medicated fluids, etc. Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
A 91-gon |
2001-09-10 |
 |
From Ashley: Hi! My name is Ashley and I am an 8th grader and I couldn't find the name of a polygon with 91 sides. i was a question from my math teacher. Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
1996^1999 and 1999^1996 |
2001-07-29 |
 |
From Rajesh: what is greater 19991997 or 19971999? Answered by Chris Fisher. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Where is the other $1? |
2001-06-05 |
 |
From Samantha: 3 people go to a motel. The room is $30. They split it $10 each. While in the room the Mgr. tells the clerk the room was only $25, so he gives her $5 to take back to the 3 people. On the way she cant decide how to split the $5 between the three people so she puts $2 in her pocket and gives them $1 each.....Therefore, the room now only cost the three people $9 each, which is $27 plus the $2 the clerk pocketed,making a total of $29.....Where is the other $1? Answered by Leeanne Boehm. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
1 = 0.999... |
2001-04-13 |
 |
From Joan: I have a middle grade math question for you. I would like to know why .9999... = 1 ? I can not use algebra to show this or the following: We agree that 2 = 2 and that 2-2 = 0, so
1.00000...... -0.99999..... ---------------- 0.000000...... and 0.000... = 0 therefore 0.9 = 1 ----------OR--------------- 1/3 = 0.333333 and 3 X 1/3 = 1, so if 3 X 0.333... = 0.999... then 0.999... = 1 My teacher says that I can not use the above example to show why this is true, and that I must use a couple different examples. He says that there are several other ways. Do you know any? I could really use the help because I can't think of any other ways to show this is true. Thanks for any help you can give. Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
4160 |
2001-03-07 |
 |
From Jessica: The product of two consecutive page numbers in this book is 4160. What are the page numbers? Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Divisibility by 16 |
2000-12-12 |
 |
From Shiling: A number can be divided by 16 if and only if its 1st four digits can be divided by 16. How can you prove that? Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Scheduling a golf vacation |
2000-12-05 |
 |
From Michael: I'm having a problem scheduling matches for a golf vacation. We have 12 people playing 7 rounds of golf in 7 days. We play 2 man teams vs. 2 man teams everyday.Is there a formula so that you play WITH a different partner everyday and AGAINST as many different people as possible? Thank You for any help you may be. Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Hendecagon |
2000-10-09 |
 |
From Jillian: I need an example of a object that is in the shape of a hendecagon. I know what the shape is but I cannot come up with a real life example of an object that is this shape. Answered by Chris Fisher. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
1234567890 |
2000-09-14 |
 |
From Bradley Kloetzly: Can you find two whole numbers, with the smallest possible difference between them, which when multipled together equal: 1234567890? Answered by Harley Weston. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Using the inverse sine function |
2000-05-31 |
 |
From Nelson Rothermel: This has me completely baffled. I have to use the laws of sine or cosine to find the angles of a triangle when I have 3 sides, so I can't go 180-x-y when I have 2 angles. Now, I have a triangle with values of 3, 7, and 9. Here are the steps I used (A,B,C are angles; a,b,c are opposite sides): angle A (16.1951 degrees): cos-1*((b2+c2-a2)/(2*b*c)) angle B (40.6011 degrees): sin-1*(b*sin(A)/a) angle C (56.7962 degrees): sin-1*(c*sin(A)/a) If you notice, A+B+C does not equal 180. According to the book, A and B are correct, but C is supposed to be 123.2038 degrees. Why doesn't it work??? Answered by Harley Weston. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
A 100-gon |
2000-05-24 |
 |
From Chris Mohr: What is a 100-gon called? Answered by Harley Weston. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
The square root of -1 |
2000-05-19 |
 |
From Gary: i am not a student i am just some one that heard something and i can't be sure on the answer...my ? is what is the square root of -1? i think it is -1 but not sure can you let me know please thank you Answered by Harley Weston. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
2^32 + 1 |
2000-04-08 |
 |
From Un Etudiant: 232 +1 can be divided by 641 , why? Answered by Claude Tradif. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
1000 percent |
2000-03-17 |
 |
From Matt Stevenson: If one invests $4000.00 and makes 1000% on the investment would he/she have $40,000.00? Could one figure this by: $4000.00 * 10.0 = $40,000.00? So is 10 times a number the same as 1000%? Would 100 times a number be the same as 10,000%? Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
More on googols |
2000-02-23 |
 |
From Kevin Brennan: Could you please give me a couple of examples of when you MATH guys would use a google. Do youu measure, like, galaxies with it ? Or was it created to keep track of Mr Gate's bank account. Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Bases other than 10 |
1999-12-06 |
 |
From Garret Magin: We are doing a lesson on numbers of other bases than 10. We are working with binary, octal, and Hexadecimal. I was wondering what is used to represent number of different bases other then 16? Does it just continue on with the alphabet and if so what happens when you get to Z. It would be a help if you could answer this because it is really bugging me. And none of the math teachers at my school could let me know. Answered by Claude Tardif and Patrick Maidorn. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Nines and ones |
1999-11-05 |
 |
From Greg Miller: Using the numbers 1, 1, 9, 9, only once each, how can I create an expression that equals 10 using only the basic functions of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and/or parentheses? Answered by Claude Tardif. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
A googol |
1999-10-06 |
 |
From Kevin Brennan: describe to me a guegoll is that how u spell it? it sounds like that Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
111...1222...2 |
1999-08-11 |
 |
From Brad Goorman: Let N = 111...1222...2, where there are 1999 digits of 1 followed by 1999 digits of 2. Express N as the product of four integers, each of them greater than 1. Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Base 2 to Base 10, conversion, convert |
1999-05-08 |
 |
From Larry Bader: 101000112 is the same as what number in Base ten? a. 83 b. 128 c. 93 d. 326 e. 163 Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Large Numbers |
1999-04-05 |
 |
From CK: Hello. I need a lesson plan for grades 4 to 7 dealing with the concept of large numbers. Specifically, how to teach scientific notation. The lesson plan has to deal with the following: the size of the universe is so huge that is is almost beyond the ability of the mind to comprehend. One way is to measure... Answered by Chris Fisher. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Root 17 is Irrational |
1999-01-21 |
 |
From John Murdock: If you could help me out with this I would appreciate it. Prove that the square root of 17 is irrational. Answered by Harley Weston. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Place Value |
1999-01-05 |
 |
From Reg: I work in a Section 27 classroom with various grades. I am looking for assistance on how to deliver a lesson on place value:decimal numbers keeping in mind that they need to see it (visual) to comprehend. I am looking for grade 4-6 level. Answered by Jack LeSage. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Golf Problem - The Sequel |
1998-11-13 |
 |
From Bob: Sixteen golfers, seven rounds. What are optimum combinations for each golfer to play with as many different golfers as possible? Many thanks, Bob Payson Answered by Denis Hanson. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Divisibility by 11 |
1998-10-28 |
 |
From Pat Duggleby: I am an upgrading instructor at a drop-in program in Regina. One of my students is taking General Math 30 through correspondence, and we have run into some confusing instructions. The section is about divisibility rules, and we did just fine up until the rule for Divisibility by 11. The statement is as follows: | | If the difference between the sum of the odd-numbered digits and the sum of the even-numbered digits, counted from right to left, is divisible by 11, then the number is divisible by 11. | . . . Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
3 to the power of 1994 |
1998-09-05 |
 |
From Kim Tangney: What are the last two digits of: - 3 to the power of 1994
- 7 to the power of 1994
- 3 to the power of 1994 + 7 to the power of 1994
- 7 to the power of 1994 - 3 to the power of 1994
Answered by Penny Nom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Golf problem |
1998-08-25 |
 |
From Bob: Twelve golfers plan to play seven rounds of golf. Each would like to play as many rounds with different golfers as possible. What are the optimum combinations to accomplish that goal? Answered by Denis Hanson. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
The sum of the angles of a triangle is 180 degrees |
1998-02-19 |
 |
From Quin Liu: How do you prove that the sum of the angles of a triangle is 180 degrees? Is there a proof? what is it? Answered by Chris Fisher. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
un jardinier plantent 10 arbres |
2007-09-30 |
 |
From yannick: un jardinier plantent 10 arbres.il a reussi a les disposer en formant 5 ligne de 4 arbres. retrouver une disposition possible Answered by Claude Tardif. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
-1 exposant 4 |
2004-12-19 |
 |
From Denis: ma question est : -1 exposant 4 = ? Quand nous avons une base négative sans parenthèse comme ma question Answered by Diane Hanson. |
 |
 |