Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Problem using Egyptian False Position method


Shaan is moving to an apartment with his partner. He wants to spend $ 850 on a dining table with four chairs. If the cost of four chairs is “x” and the cost of a table is $100 more than the cost of a chair, then what will be the cost of chairs and table? (excluding taxes).

Let      

            Cost of four chairs = x

            Cost of a chair = x/4

            Cost of a table = (100 + x/4)

            Total amount = $850

So,

            x + (100 + x/4) = 850

Try  x = 100,    

            100 + 125 = 225 ≠ 850

We need approximately four times the answer to get 850

Now try x = 400

            400 + 200 = 600 ≠ 850

Try x = 600

            600 + 250 = 850

So, the cost of four chairs is $ 600 and the cost of one chair is $150

      The cost of a table is $250.

     

           

 

 

2 comments:

  1. Hmmm -- Amrit, I am not sure if you have fully grasped the idea of ancient Egyptian false position, but good try! We will work together on this in class today.

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  2. Actually, this is fine -- it's the constant amount (100) that makes it harder to estimate proportionally!

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