I suck at math... help me

[Jeff7181]

Conner and Josh are brothers. If we add 2 to conner's age, it is exactly 1/2 the age of his older brother Josh, who is 12. How old is Conner?

Write an equation to show how many years will it be until Conner's age is 1/2 of Josh's age?

Ok, so I used the following equation to figure out that Conner is 4 years old...

x + 2 = 1/2(12)

And I know it'll be four more years until Conner is 1/2 of Josh's age (Conner will be 8, Josh will be 16, I just did trial and error in my head to figure that out) but I don't know how to write an equation to figure that out.

 

[akubi]

lol

 

[imported_Ned Flanders]

This is not Homework club.

 

[Jeraden]

Huh? You have the proper equation right there in your post. I am missing what your question is.

 

[dullard]

Your answers are correct, and trial-and-error is a very powerful and useful solution method. Don't discredit it. Some advanced math problems are best solved by trial-and-error.

Your second equation is:

4 + y = 1/2 * (12 + y)

It is exactly like your first equation. You don't suck at math at all, you had the right equation and the right answer! You just don't have confidence in math and/or don't want to spend the time necessary. You know everything you need to know at this point. Time is all it takes.

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: dullard
Your answers are correct, and trial-and-error is a very powerful and useful solution method. Don't discredit it. Some advanced math problems are best solved by trial-and-error.

Your second equation is:

4 + y = 1/2 * (12 + y)

It is exactly like your first equation.

winnar!

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: Jeraden
Huh? You have the proper equation right there in your post. I am missing what your question is.

I need an equation to show how many years it will be until Conner is 1/2 of Josh's age.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: dullard
Your answers are correct, and trial-and-error is a very powerful and useful solution method. Don't discredit it. Some advanced math problems are best solved by trial-and-error.

Your second equation is:

4 + y = 1/2 * (12 + y)

It is exactly like your first equation. You don't suck at math at all, you had the right equation and the right answer! You just don't have confidence in math and/or don't want to spend the time necessary. You know everything you need to know at this point. Time is all it takes.

Ahh... hmmm...

 

[booger711]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181

Originally posted by: Jeraden
Huh? You have the proper equation right there in your post. I am missing what your question is.

I need an equation to show how many years it will be until Conner is 1/2 of Josh's age.

someone just gave you the right equation.

Orginally posted by: dullard
Your answers are correct, and trial-and-error is a very powerful and useful solution method. Don't discredit it. Some advanced math problems are best solved by trial-and-error.

Your second equation is:

4 + y = 1/2 * (12 + y)

It is exactly like your first equation.

 

[hypn0tik]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181

Conner and Josh are brothers. If we add 2 to conner's age, it is exactly 1/2 the age of his older brother Josh, who is 12. How old is Conner?

Write an equation to show how many years will it be until Conner's age is 1/2 of Josh's age?

Ok, so I used the following equation to figure out that Conner is 4 years old...

x + 2 = 1/2(12)

And I know it'll be four more years until Conner is 1/2 of Josh's age (Conner will be 8, Josh will be 16, I just did trial and error in my head to figure that out) but I don't know how to write an equation to figure that out.

Conner and Josh are brothers. If we add 2 to conner's age, it is exactly 1/2 the age of his older brother Josh, who is 12. How old is Conner?

Let Conner's age be x years.

x + 2 = 1/2*12
x + 2 = 6
x = 4.
Conner is 4.

Write an equation to show how many years will it be until Conner's age is 1/2 of Josh's age

Let the number of years be y.

4 + y = 1/2 * (12 + y)
4 + y = 6 + y/2
y/2 = 2
y = 4

In 4 years, he will be half his brother's age.

Do you understand what I did?

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: booger711
someone just gave you the right equation.

He posted at about the same time as I edited in the right equation. He just didn't see my post yet.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: hypn0tik

Originally posted by: Jeff7181

Conner and Josh are brothers. If we add 2 to conner's age, it is exactly 1/2 the age of his older brother Josh, who is 12. How old is Conner?

Write an equation to show how many years will it be until Conner's age is 1/2 of Josh's age?

Ok, so I used the following equation to figure out that Conner is 4 years old...

x + 2 = 1/2(12)

And I know it'll be four more years until Conner is 1/2 of Josh's age (Conner will be 8, Josh will be 16, I just did trial and error in my head to figure that out) but I don't know how to write an equation to figure that out.

Conner and Josh are brothers. If we add 2 to conner's age, it is exactly 1/2 the age of his older brother Josh, who is 12. How old is Conner?

Let Conner's age be x years.

x + 2 = 1/2*12
x + 2 = 6
x = 4.
Conner is 4.

Write an equation to show how many years will it be until Conner's age is 1/2 of Josh's age

Let the number of years be y.

4 + y = 1/2 * (12 + y)
4 + y = 6 + y/2
y/2 = 2
y = 4

In 4 years, he will be half his brother's age.

Do you understand what I did?

I lost you at y/2 = 2

 

[hypn0tik]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181

Originally posted by: hypn0tik

Originally posted by: Jeff7181

Conner and Josh are brothers. If we add 2 to conner's age, it is exactly 1/2 the age of his older brother Josh, who is 12. How old is Conner?

Write an equation to show how many years will it be until Conner's age is 1/2 of Josh's age?

Ok, so I used the following equation to figure out that Conner is 4 years old...

x + 2 = 1/2(12)

And I know it'll be four more years until Conner is 1/2 of Josh's age (Conner will be 8, Josh will be 16, I just did trial and error in my head to figure that out) but I don't know how to write an equation to figure that out.

Conner and Josh are brothers. If we add 2 to conner's age, it is exactly 1/2 the age of his older brother Josh, who is 12. How old is Conner?

Let Conner's age be x years.

x + 2 = 1/2*12
x + 2 = 6
x = 4.
Conner is 4.

Write an equation to show how many years will it be until Conner's age is 1/2 of Josh's age

Let the number of years be y.

4 + y = 1/2 * (12 + y)
4 + y = 6 + y/2
y/2 = 2
y = 4

In 4 years, he will be half his brother's age.

Do you understand what I did?

I lost you at y/2 = 2

Alright. It's just manipulating the expression. Bring all the variables to one side and the constants to the other.

4 + y = 6 + y/2

Subtract 4 and y/2 from both sides:

y - y/2 = 6 - 4

y/2 = 2

Multiply both sides by 2 to solve for y.

y = 2*2 = 4

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: hypn0tik

Originally posted by: Jeff7181

Originally posted by: hypn0tik

Originally posted by: Jeff7181

Conner and Josh are brothers. If we add 2 to conner's age, it is exactly 1/2 the age of his older brother Josh, who is 12. How old is Conner?

Write an equation to show how many years will it be until Conner's age is 1/2 of Josh's age?

Ok, so I used the following equation to figure out that Conner is 4 years old...

x + 2 = 1/2(12)

And I know it'll be four more years until Conner is 1/2 of Josh's age (Conner will be 8, Josh will be 16, I just did trial and error in my head to figure that out) but I don't know how to write an equation to figure that out.

Conner and Josh are brothers. If we add 2 to conner's age, it is exactly 1/2 the age of his older brother Josh, who is 12. How old is Conner?

Let Conner's age be x years.

x + 2 = 1/2*12
x + 2 = 6
x = 4.
Conner is 4.

Write an equation to show how many years will it be until Conner's age is 1/2 of Josh's age

Let the number of years be y.

4 + y = 1/2 * (12 + y)
4 + y = 6 + y/2
y/2 = 2
y = 4

In 4 years, he will be half his brother's age.

Do you understand what I did?

I lost you at y/2 = 2

Alright. It's just manipulating the expression. Bring all the variables to one side and the constants to the other.

4 + y = 6 + y/2

Subtract 4 and y/2 from both sides:

y - y/2 = 6 - 4

y/2 = 2

Multiply both sides by 2 to solve for y.

y = 2*2 = 4

I guess I don't get how y - y/2 = y/2

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: hypn0tik
Subtract 4 and y/2 from both sides:

As a hint, when someone lacks confidence in math, don't do two steps at once like you did there, hypn0tik. Subtract 4 on one step. Then subtract y/2 on the next step. It just makes it easier for everyone involved. Once Jeff7181 gets confidence in math, you can combine steps like that for speed.

 

[NaOH]

wowzers

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: hypn0tik
Subtract 4 and y/2 from both sides:

As a hint, when someone lacks confidence in math, don't do two steps at once like you did there, hypn0tik. Subtract 4 on one step. Then subtract y/2 on the next step. It just makes it easier for everyone involved. Once Jeff7181 gets confidence in math, you can combine steps like that for speed.

I wouldn't say I lack confidence... I just don't get it. I need to know why or how something is done so I can understand it... like... how does y - y/2 = y/2

 

[hypn0tik]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181

Originally posted by: hypn0tik

Originally posted by: Jeff7181

Originally posted by: hypn0tik

Originally posted by: Jeff7181

Conner and Josh are brothers. If we add 2 to conner's age, it is exactly 1/2 the age of his older brother Josh, who is 12. How old is Conner?

Write an equation to show how many years will it be until Conner's age is 1/2 of Josh's age?

Ok, so I used the following equation to figure out that Conner is 4 years old...

x + 2 = 1/2(12)

And I know it'll be four more years until Conner is 1/2 of Josh's age (Conner will be 8, Josh will be 16, I just did trial and error in my head to figure that out) but I don't know how to write an equation to figure that out.

Conner and Josh are brothers. If we add 2 to conner's age, it is exactly 1/2 the age of his older brother Josh, who is 12. How old is Conner?

Let Conner's age be x years.

x + 2 = 1/2*12
x + 2 = 6
x = 4.
Conner is 4.

Write an equation to show how many years will it be until Conner's age is 1/2 of Josh's age

Let the number of years be y.

4 + y = 1/2 * (12 + y)
4 + y = 6 + y/2
y/2 = 2
y = 4

In 4 years, he will be half his brother's age.

Do you understand what I did?

I lost you at y/2 = 2

Alright. It's just manipulating the expression. Bring all the variables to one side and the constants to the other.

4 + y = 6 + y/2

Subtract 4 and y/2 from both sides:

y - y/2 = 6 - 4

y/2 = 2

Multiply both sides by 2 to solve for y.

y = 2*2 = 4

I guess I don't get how y - y/2 = y/2

Instead of y, call it an apple. You have an apple and you're taking away half of an apple. What do you have left?

------------------------------------

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: hypn0tik
Subtract 4 and y/2 from both sides:

As a hint, when someone lacks confidence in math, don't do two steps at once like you did there, hypn0tik. Subtract 4 on one step. Then subtract y/2 on the next step. It just makes it easier for everyone involved. Once Jeff7181 gets confidence in math, you can combine steps like that for speed.

Good point dullard. I was trying to combine those steps for the sake of speed. I'll try to keep that in mind for the future.

 

[akubi]

Originally posted by: akubi
lol

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
how does y - y/2 = y/2

Do you understand these steps?

y - y/2 = y * 1 - y * 1/2

y * 1 - y * 1/2 = y * (1 - 1/2)

y * (1 - 1/2) = y * (1/2)

y * (1/2) = y/2

I guarantee that if you took your knowledge and several hours of time, you would have discovered that same series of steps. Or you'd discover a similar series that gives the same result. Math just takes time.

And that apple example is a good example.

 

[Jeff7181]

Instead of y, call it an apple. You have an apple and you're taking away half of an apple. What do you have left?

Ahh... that makes sense now.

 

[QED]

nm

 

[hypn0tik]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181

Instead of y, call it an apple. You have an apple and you're taking away half of an apple. What do you have left?

Ahh... that makes sense now.

Glad it makes sense. That's the exact analogy I used when teaching this stuff to my sister. Don't be intimidated by x, y, z etc. You can call the variables whatever you want.

 

[Jeff7181]

I got it now. Thanks hypn0tik and dullard.

akubi, I'm glad my lack of understanding is so amusing to you. If it helps you go another day without killing yourself, then we accomplished two things in this thread, although some may argue that increasing my understanding of algebra is the only positive outcome.

 

[NaOH]

Less time in the forums, more time honing your math skills.