Can you figure it out?

crunkjosh

New member
Joined
Aug 29, 2005
Messages
5
I have a problem that might be a little hard for some of you so you were warned.

A stack of oranges forms a pyramid with a rectangular base measuring 5 x 8 oranges. Each orange above level 1 rests in a pocket formed by 4 oranges on the level below it. A single row of oranges completes the stack. How many oranges are in the stack?
 
good job but can you solve it algebraically? Oh is this too tough for you all?
 
Yes, we can solve it algebraically, but this isn't our homework. How far have you gotten in deriving an algebraic formula?

We'll be glad to check your work.

Eliz.
 
Hint: what would the answer be if base was 5 by 5 oranges?
 
Don't you just love it when someone gets nasty?

The problem gives specific (rather small) numbers
. . and asks a straight-forward question: How many oranges?

We crank out the answer (no biggie) and he responds with . . .
. . "good job but can you solve it algebraically? Oh is this too tough for you all?"

It's a grade-school problem . . . why would ANYONE use algebra?
. . Let's see . . . let x = total number of oranges . . .

A <u>real</u> problem would have given us an x-by-y rectangular base and asked for a formula.
 
Top