s10 is doing some logic problems and we’re a bit flummoxed. i’m hoping that one of you guys is a maths whiz and would be willing to lend a hand. so here ya go…
there are 4 kids and 4 ice cream flavors.
the ice cream flavors are
- killer blueberry
- rum and raisin
- lime sherbet
- cherry bordeaux
the kids are
- #1
- #2
- #3
- #4
the problem goes like this -
all the kids had a single scoop of ice cream. #1 does not like lime or blueberry. #2 does not like fruit flavors. #4 does not like cherry. who had what?
our problem is with kid #2. which one of those ice creams is not a fruit flavor? i’m assuming it’s going to be either the rum and raisin or the cherry bordeaux, but both of those contain fruit so have some fruit flavor in them and that’s where we’re stuck. of course, maybe we’re stuck because there’s some funny plant rule about one of the four choices making it not really a fruit… no matter, we still need help.
why must 5th grade math be so confusing?
Nov 16, 2009 @ 18:52:11
Sorry. I’m stuck. Please post the answer when you get it, I’m curious.
BTW–my first reaction was that lime is not a fruit flavor–of course it is, but not as much, to me, as the others.
Even assuming I’m right though, and I definitely wouldn’t, there’s still not enough information to solve the problem, at least not that I can see.
Nov 16, 2009 @ 23:08:01
i was so bothered by the doesn’t like fruit flavored that i couldn’t see the there is not enough info thing… i’ll let you know what we discover.
Nov 16, 2009 @ 23:00:28
The real answer should be, “It’s Ice Cream, darnit! You’ll eat it and you’ll like it! Why, there are kids in Texas who dream of eating booze-flavored ice cream so just shut up and lick.” But maybe I’m getting old and crotchety.
Really, though, there’s just not enough information here, regardless of what silly ways you use to define fruit.
Try turning it on its head and seeing what WILL kid #2 eat, that picky little troublemaker.
If he will eat only Raisin, then #1 will eat only Cherry. But then we can’t tell which of #3 and #4 will eat Lime or Blueberry. (can’t solve it)
If he will eat only Cherry, then #1 will eat only Raisin. And #3 and #4 are the same as above. (can’t solve it)
If he will eat only Blueberry, then #1 might eat Raisin. If so, then #4 will have Lime and #3 will have Cherry (a possible solution). But, #1 might just as well eat Cherry. Then we don’t know which of #3 and #4 will eat Lime or Raisin. (can’t solve it)
If he will eat only Lime, then #1 might eat Raisin. If so, then #4 will have Blueberry and #3 will have Cherry (a possible solution again). But, #1 might just as well eat Cherry. Then we don’t know which of #3 and #4 will eat Blueberry or Raisin. (can’t solve it)
You are missing some data.
Nov 16, 2009 @ 23:12:15
so, i missed the whole there’s not enough info thing… but, did you notice the chart i built all by myself?!?
Nov 17, 2009 @ 04:49:09
I get by all the time on not enough information…as you well know. I think number 2 had rum raisin and #1 had cherry bordeaux. Now it is a toss up between #3 and 4. Maybe you would go alphabetically. The lowest number would eat the “b”lueberry and #4 would eat the “l”ime.
Nov 17, 2009 @ 07:50:35
you do get by quite frequently on not enough information – which is pretty impressive. s10′s supposed to be asking a few more questions today. hopefully, we’ll get some clarification.
Nov 18, 2009 @ 18:01:50
please let me know, this is killing me
Nov 19, 2009 @ 09:15:05
i’m trying to sit back and see if s10 asks his teacher, you know, not interfere. the homework isn’t due until monday. after that i’ll feel free reign to ask.