ATOT, are you smarter than my 3rd grader?

blackdogdeek

Lifer
Mar 14, 2003
14,453
10
81
This is a problem from my daughter’s homework last night. The teacher contends that her answer is incorrect. Let’s see what answer you get.

Jane wishes to organize a pet parade. Every row in the parade will have some combination of owners and pets. In the 1st row, Jane puts 1 owner and 1 pet. In the 2nd row, Jane puts 2 owners with 1 pet each. In the 3rd row, Jane puts 1 owner with 2 pets. In the 4th row, Jane puts 2 owners with 2 pets each. In the 5th row, Jane puts 1 owner with 3 pets. If the pattern continues, how many owners and pets will there be in the 6th row?

the answer she got was:
2 owners, 3 pets each.

the teacher
crossed out the "2" and wrote "3", making the answer, presumably "3 owners, 3 pets each".
 
Last edited:

waffleironhead

Diamond Member
Aug 10, 2005
7,064
570
136
2 owners 3 pets

pets.png
 
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bobdole369

Diamond Member
Dec 15, 2004
4,504
2
0
row,owners,pets
1,1,1
2,2,1
3,1,2
4,2,2
5,1,3
6,?,?

My first guess is 3,1, but now that I lay it out - 2,3 makes the most logical sense. Teachers answer does not. I'm onboard the teacher is a moron club.
 
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corwin

Diamond Member
Jan 13, 2006
8,644
9
81
3 and 3

Each even row has an equal number of pets and owners incresing by one
 

roguerower

Diamond Member
Nov 18, 2004
4,563
0
76
2 Owners
3 Pets

Owner: 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2
Pets: 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3

Smart kid, dumb teacher.
 

corwin

Diamond Member
Jan 13, 2006
8,644
9
81
row,owners,pets
1,1,1
2,2,2
3,1,2
4,2,2
5,1,3
6,?,?

My first guess is 3,1, but now that I lay it out - 2,3 makes the most logical sense. 3,3 does not. I'm onboard the teacher is a moron club.
FTFY...row two has 2 owners with 1 pet each

Edit: nm, I'm wrong...
 

blackdogdeek

Lifer
Mar 14, 2003
14,453
10
81
we actually really like the teacher but it seems that in this case she is probably just following the answer key. this would hopefully bring about an opportunity to further instruct the class on how the answer was determined.
 

OOBradm

Golden Member
May 21, 2001
1,730
1
76
If the pattern continues, how many owners and pets will there be in the 6th row?

The question is asking for the TOTAL number of pets, not the number of pets per owner.

There will be 2 owners, and 6 pets.

Not 3 pets like you all are saying. It's 3 pets per owner, for a total of 6 pets.
 

rcpratt

Lifer
Jul 2, 2009
10,433
110
116
The question is asking for the TOTAL number of pets, not the number of pets per owner.

There will be 2 owners, and 6 pets.

Not 3 pets like you all are saying. It's 3 pets per owner, for a total of 6 pets.
It doesn't specify "total," and as such, continuing to phrase it as the question did - "X owners, Y dogs each" seems acceptable.

Although yes, those saying "X owners, Y dogs" here when they mean "each" is misleading.
 
Feb 25, 2011
16,992
1,621
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either answer (2 owners w/ 3 pets each or 3 owners w/ 3 pets each) would fit in the (barely) established pattern.

Sounds like most of the class will probably get the wrong answer. If the teacher is worth their salt, they'll probably discuss the question in class for a minute and give credit for the "wrong" answer.
 

JTsyo

Lifer
Nov 18, 2007
12,035
1,134
126
Even rows are just 2x the row before it. Since row 5 is 1owner, 3 pets; row 6 should be 2 owners, 6 pets.

either answer (2 owners w/ 3 pets each or 3 owners w/ 3 pets each) would fit in the (barely) established pattern.

Sounds like most of the class will probably get the wrong answer. If the teacher is worth their salt, they'll probably discuss the question in class for a minute and give credit for the "wrong" answer.

How do you figure 3/3 fits?