Quote:
Originally posted by Gabrielles blades:
quote:
Originally posted by Night Stalker:
Jeesh, like Vask said, way to be too nit-picky ... 
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/shrug, i suppose it might be nitpicky, but consider your own logic.
There is an assumption in the logic of this problem as solved by the math teacher. It naturally did have to do with the fact that he was a math teacher and so the math teacher would assume that a few seconds difference in birthing is insignificant.
So, when accounting for the unit of measure (years), the few seconds is insignificant. With this assumption of insignificance you would have only one oldest since according to a rounding of the years you would have 6 = 6.00001
as a true statement.
However, since the clincher of the question is not a mathematical matter, one would use non mathematical logic. ie, it doesnt matter how insignificant the age difference, there is still a difference that parents and children tend to actually note.
the problem to me has no solution if you dont use that assumption.
and yes there are places where supposedly insignificant numbers can have enormous ramifications even in scholastic pursuits (ie physics classes). [/QUOTE]While I don't agree with the reasoning above, I do agree with the point I think you are trying to make. I've often seen that people like me (who think making and solving math/physics type questions is pure fun) tend to assume quite a lot when it comes to these questions.
The problem, IMHO, is caused by the practice of 'translating' the mathematical problem (find two combinations of three numbers, whose product is 36 and whose sum is equal) to a story (about a math teacher). When I look at the story I see a mathematical question (my mistake) but there is really no reason to do so.
With the assumption that the problem is a mathematical one, more assumptions follow. For example that the teacher didn't see the children (or that he is blind or a complete idiot for not seeing the difference between a six year old twin and a 2 year old twin
) or that the children have rounded ages.
The difference in viewpoint makes the discussion about 'nit-picky' void, because one side is talking about a 'real-life' problem and the other about a purely mathematical one.