Friday, November 9, 2007
Is there only 1 answer to a problem?
We have been working on solving inequalities this unit. Do you think they have the same importance in the "real world" as equations? Is an exact answer more important than a range of answers? Can you think of a situation in which a business would need to use inequalities?
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Hi, I am adam. I think that life is not equal. I think this because you can't have everything you want. Sometimes you have to do things that you don't want to do, but you have to.
Peace Out!
The comment above does not pertain to the question you are to comment on. Please read what I am asking you to think about before you post your comments!
Of course life is not equal, because if that were true, we would be residing in a utopian society, and history as we know it today would not exist. There would be no wars, hatred, persecutions and antebellum souths... you and I would never know what it is like to feel inferior to someone and would never hear about what is on the news today about cheating and stealing and murder...
People learn at a young age that, to get to the top of the world, one needs to do whatever he or she can possibly do to attain their dream, whether it involves fairness or not. If all you need to do is glance at your partner’s paper to find the right answer to ace your test and get an A for the semester, would you be sorely tempted to do it? When you are rushing to work, is it tempting to cut in front of the person behind you so that you don’t have to be stuck behind traffic? When you have been overworked and are dying from stress, would it not sound good to call in sick, even though you physically feel fine? And in the business world, if your co-worker had a better idea than you for a project and is a stronger candidate for promotion... well, how many over-achievers would rather steal that person’s hard work in order for a higher position, a fatter paycheck?
We don’t live in a perfect society where everything turns out as fair and equal as a math equation. Rather, it is an inequality, and the scales are constantly tipping.
I have another answer to contribute, regarding whether a single answer is more important than a range of answers.
It really depends on the situation whether one answer is more important than a multitude. Obviously, when it comes to math, one answer is usually sufficient, but in real life, some answers are not fail, some plans do not carry through, and there always needs to be at least one backup. In school papers, one example to a piece of information is simply rudimentary; three or four makes the piece fantastic. In a court hearing, several suspects need to be interviewed to get the details as they are individually perceived; one person bearing their witness does not suffice. As I said, it varies with the situation.
I changed the title of the post because I do not think the concepts I wanted you to think about were clear.
I was not looking for such an esoteric discussion as the comments have been thus far.
I'm not exactly sure what Mrs. K is asking here... because her question does not seem to match what the title is, so I'll just answer what the title is asking; is there only one answer to a problem?
In the real world, there hardly ever is. There are often several different conclusions to a problem; an example would be the to analyze what a nation relies on for their income. In China, a main source of profit is industry (one answer). However, if that were to fail, if the United States - a main provider of China's success - decided to put their faith into another country's manufactured goods, China would always have their technicological advancement to share with the world (another answer), thus, being able to solve a potential profit of a broken income.
So, even though I am repeating myself, yes; there is quite often more than one answer to a problem.
I hope this isn't quite as esoteric as my other response... sorry, Mrs. K!
I believe that life isn't always equal so my answer to the question would be no, because there always more than 1 answer. And I would say that 1 answer is better then a reange of answers, but then you will always have problems. For example, if a company owner was to sale something then they wouldnt give you a range of numbers they will juss give you an exact amount.
So even though it will be best to have 1 answer to everything, it's not true n the real world.
-Ivana
I think one answer would be more important than a range because it is more specific.
Inequalities can be used for many things...when different jobs could pay in different ways you have to figure out which would give you the better deal.
There are many times that inequalities are used. I can think of three examples off of the top of my head. One of the examples that I have is the same as Kali's. When someone goes to a carpenter or a contractor and wants something done within a certain price range. For example: one may want a remodeling job done with the price being less than $5,000. The other example I have is when someone is going to go buy a car, clothes, groceries, etc. and they want to stay within a certain price. Like get ten shirts for $50 or less. The third example I have is if someone recieves money and is told to spend the money on whatever, then they would have to stay in that price range.
I think that there are many things in life that can have multiple answers. Most of the time in Algebra there is only one answer, but with inequalities there can be multiple answers. In a business for example, there is a certain amount of money you want to make from your client, your quota. Let's say your quota is $50. So, you're in a meeting with your client and they offer you $75, you're not going to say "No, our quota is $50" you'll probably take the $75. Same thing goes for if you're paying for something, if your budget to pay for a service is $100, and they're asking you to pay $90, you'll probably pay them the lesser amount of money.
Inequalities can be found in recreational activities too. Like at the pool, if there's a sign that says you must be at least 14 to be in the pool without a parent. Does this mean that if you're 15 you need to be with a parent? NO. Because the words AT LEAST were used.
Problems with multiple answers are found all over the place, not every problem has to have just ONE answer.
An exact answer is just that- more exact- but a range of answers can be more helpfull at times like if a large bussniss wants to make 'more than' a certain ammount or 'less than' a certain ammount.
Yes,the equations are just as important as inequalities because they each serve their own purpose. learning how to use these, will benifit us in the rest of our lives.
I think that in life there are many things that will have multiple answers. Sometimes it it better for you to have a range of answers than just one because then you aren't just stuck to one answer, and you are willing to chang it if you need to.
I think that in an airline a caption could come up with more than one rute to get to one place. and that could change in midd air and he of she needs a back up plan so it is better to have more than one anser i think
I think that a range of answers is more imprtant than only one answer because even today we just had a speaker and for example, if you drop your major in college and you don't have a backup, then you will be out of college and a dropout. But you should always have more that one choice incase one does not work.So for example on the integer problems we are doing, we get more than one answer and they all work so it gives you more of a variety to choose from.
A great example of using a range of numbers in inequalities is used in the workforce for making the yearly budgets and goals for a company. A business would need to use the range from the inequalities to see what kind of a profit they can make on certain products if they buy it in bulk or in small bunches.
For most problems, i think there could be a ton of different answers. The problem doesn't have to have just one answer to be correct, does it? This proves that you don't always have to have an exact answer for it to be more important than a range.
I think a range of answers is better than a single answer. I think this because in the real world for example, if you want to buy a house you have to have a range of prices you are willing to pay. Such as, I will pay as little as ___but no more than___. If one chooses a specific price they want to pay for a house, no more no less, that person may not find a house that fits their exact needs. Another example is when you go grocery shopping. If you go to the store needing milk, but the price is more than you had expected you have to choose whether you are willing to pay the price for it, or if its MORE than in your price range. Because of these things, I think a range of answers is better than a single answer.
I think almost every business uses inequalities. Especially when doing market research and taking surveys. For example, A company might say that people under the age of 30 are most likely to use a product. Then they can focus their advertising on that age group.
No i dont think they have the same importance as in the real world. I think it is better to have a range of answers because if maybe one isnt right then thats why you made another answer. One example is like if you have at least been in the military 20 years you can get this retirement.
I would have to disagree with Gaven. I think inequalities are used a lot in the world. For example when there are populations they say at least (a number) people. Another example is for contents or advertising on tv they say you have to be at least 18 to call. So i think inequalities are used a lot because not everyone knows an exact number to something so they just say at least or at most or etc.
that was natalie wheeler by the way.
Now you are all thinking!! Some of you have given excellent examples.I especially like the reference to buying a house and profit for a company.
I am very pleased will all of the recent posts!
I think it depends on the type of question asked. If you needed bought something for $10.00 and you gave the salesperson a $20 dollar bill, you would want all ten dollars back. You wouldn't want less than ten dollars (but you would probably want more).
I think inequalities work in the real world most of the time. It depends on the situation.
Having a range of answers would work when you need a back up plan. Say you lost you job and you don’t have any knowledge in another area, what do you do? If you have knowledge about other things you have a bigger opportunity for a good job. I don’t know if I answered you question right, but I hope I did.
I dont know why that didnt come up as my name but the one above is Amber D.
(my computer is dumb)
Personally, I think that having a range of answers is better than being "devoted" to one answer. Because, in the real world if you tell someone your going to go to their house and you will be there by 8pm. That would be better than saying, I'll be there at 8pm. if you dont know a for sure time that you're gunna get there. But then again I think if your having like, a party and you say be here at noon, thats exact and you want people to be at ur house AT noon, so I guess it just depends on what your doing or saying, so a range of answers and an exact answer are both important in their own ways.
In life, there are a varity of answers to all of our problems. Some of them being as simple as yes, or no. But throughout your life time, there should never be just one aswer unless you are on the job. Which is quite different. On the job, the answers to your questions may be this is the exact percent that we need to increase on our sales, inorder to have more money then spent. But even that is similar to a greater than, less than, or equal to problem because you are shooting for this percent, but if you get higher, they're not stoping you. They would be more than thrilled if you got a higher percent then what they're asking for.
But, if you are supposed to order a certain amount of something, they are expecting that amount. If you get on the phone with the company that you are buying from and say that you need, 25 or more cases, they will not know what to give you. This could make an oppertunity for the company to make more money from you, so they will order 35 cases. When the load comes in, then there will be to much of that one thing, which could lead to problems if it's not sold. If your company is unable to sell these items, your job could be on the line if they have to throw them out, or even reduce the price.
So although you will come accross more multiple answer problems in your life. It will be hard to find a problem that requires only one answer.
I don't think there is only 1 answer to a problem. In a math equation there might be but in other problems that u might have in life there could be multiple answers. You could have a problem that would be better if u had more than one answer because it would give you more range or variety.
I believe that inequalities do occur in the real world. I also think that in some cases, a range of answers is better than just one very specific answer. This example may not pertain to math, but in the real world if you were trying to track a suspect down you would describe them with a small range of possible heights. This would allow a greater chance of finding the right person than just asking for a very specific detail.
I agree with Bryan, Inequalities do have to do with real life. A lot of times when you do something there is more than one way to do something.Also I think some problems there are only one answer to but not all of them.
I dont get what either of the two questions are asking. Ill try and answer but if the answer is off topic dont get mad at me.
No there isnt always one way two answer a problem (equation) the other way of answering is if it is an equality or a absolute value question the answer could either be a positive or a negative outcome
If i have said the complete opposite of what you asked just tell me in class
- Sam
yes. i believe that in mathematics there is only one answer to each question or problem. i enjoy math because it is very straight forward and is either right or wrong. if there was more than one answer to a question, math would be more like language arts, where "no one has the wrong answer". math is clear cut, right or wrong.
No, i do not think there is only one way to answer a problem. Like is soccer is there only one way to score a goal. No. You can use your head, leg, thigh, or of course you foot. But also like in math and life there can always be a range of answers possible. Unless it is 5+3 it wouldn't equal 7, it would always equal 8.
No, i don't think there is just 1 answer to a problem. I agree with what Shannon is saying because you can analyze different conclusions. An example would be when you want to buy a car. The sales person asks you, what car you're looking for. Your probably going to explain the different things you want on your car. You might say you want a car with leather seats, four doors, a cd player, etc.
the comment above was posted by Danielle P.
i dont think that theres only one answer when it comes to life.....or math. there are unlimited possibilities out there. in math maybe u do only get one answer but if you think about it more you might find that there is more than one conclusion
I don't think that there is only one answer to a problem. In math there is usually only one answer. Outside of math, there can be more than one answer to a problem. In some buisnesses there are multiple answers because people view things differently.
I agree with everyone else. I don't think there is one answer. I mean there are some that don't pertain to that like simply math or equations but when it comes to problem solving or graphing or something everyone could have different answers based on what way and how they look at the problem.
I believe that a range of answers can be just as important as a single number depending what you are dealing with. In the stock market buyers want to see not only the recent value of a parcitular stock but also to see the history of that stock. When looking at the history of a stock they look for patterns of when the stock seems to be at its highs and when it's at its lows. Also looking for the time of the year these patterns seem to take place. Then averaging out these numbers that are found, they can graph the predicted slope or slopes of the stocks ups and downs to estimate for the future of the stock. This could help the buyers know when to buy and sell the stock. So, the importance of anwsers depends on the subject, but in most cases (or at least to me) a single answer is not only easier to deal with, but also easier to understand the exact way to get that answer.
there is many different answers when it comes to graphing equations. that is because the line goes on forever and never stops.
Yes i think that one answer is more important than alot of amswers. A problem might work with just one answer and there is always going to be a better one.
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