Is this math puzzle solvable?

[JeanLucPicard]

Can anyone solve this:

a x b y ax+by
_ 1 _ 20 C
_ 2 _ 18 C
_ 3 _ 16 C
_ 4 _ 14 C
_ 5 _ 12 C


given the data of x and y, what values of a and b do we need to make sure ax+by is always C. What I mean is that a(1)+b(20) = a(2)+b(18)= ... so on

edit: of course a and b dont have to be the same in all equations. the main task is to have ax+by always give the same number


This is something I was randomly thinking off; nothing to do with academics

[NomNomNom]

the answer is potato

[SebC]

a=2b, and that will be $20 for completing your assignment.

Edit: a=2b will still be solution, but it is no longer unique.

[Zevo]

Yes, it's 42.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Zevo

Yes, it's 42.

C=42 for a=42/11 and b=21/11.

[kermitology]

Sure. a=0, b=0.

[JeanLucPicard]

Originally Posted by SebC

a=2b, and that will be $20 for completing your assignment.

Edit: a=2b will still be solution, but it is no longer unique.

I am guessing a=2b obviously depends on the data given for x and y right? What if the data was not given? Is there a general approach to finding it? I mean how did you use 1,2,3,4,5 and 20,18,16,14,12 to come up with a=2b

edit: nevermind I think I get it if the change in data is constant and has a pattern. But I don't know what would be like if there was no pattern to the data. for example, x: 1,4,7,8,9 and y: 13,15,17,19,22

And i'd give you $20 for doing it so fast if it really was my homework haha...my real "homework" involves financial portfolios and accounting .

[JeanLucPicard]

Too sleepy to do it now but I think using Excel Solver may be a good idea.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by JeanLucPicard

edit: nevermind I think I get it if the change in data is constant and has a pattern. But I don't know what would be like if there was no pattern to the data. for example, x: 1,4,7,8,9 and y: 13,15,17,19,22

Then you need a=0 and b=0, or if a and b aren't constants then a[i]=(C-b[i]*y[i])/x[i] (where i is the index of the row) is the general solution (which is basically just re-arranging the problem).

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by JeanLucPicard

Too sleepy to do it now but I think using Excel Solver may be a good idea.

Brilliant idea.

Like my nephew who insists that he is supposed to use Google Translate to do his French homework.

edit: I just re-read the question, and if it has nothing to do with school, then Excel is likely your friend. The alternative, I think, is learning some linear algebra.

[Northendzone]

if this equation is solved, we should be able to refuel the warp core and get to Rigel 12 by star date 1422.9

[CaptainCrunch]

I love it when people say that they were randomly thinking about it.

Either that means that its a homework assignment that they can't figure out. Or they're trying to indirectly brag about how brilliant they are on the board.

Personally last night I was thinking about Broads with big breasts with the occassional nod to Star Trek, math didn't enter the the the equation.

I also thought about the science of Gilligan's Island and the sad fact that for decades they couldn't get past the incoming tide and then I jumped into deciding that Gilligan's Island was actually the same Island as lost and the future episodes where they were off of the Island and in civilization didn't actually happen and they all had died in the original wreck and were waiting to move on. That would explain why they had random guests like the Monkeys and the Soviet Cosmonauts and the Globetrotters who were cleverly disguised scientists from the other side of the Island

Then back to broads with big breasts

[Buff]

Can you dumb it down a little?

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

if this equation is solved, we should be able to refuel the warp core and get to Rigel 12 by star date 1422.9

My calculations show we would need to also fly past the sun at Warp 9+ in order to create the slingshot effect to make it to Rigel 12 by stardate 1422.9 because that's October 4, 1923 2:35 PM.

[JeanLucPicard]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I love it when people say that they were randomly thinking about it.

Either that means that its a homework assignment that they can't figure out. Or they're trying to indirectly brag about how brilliant they are on the board.

What are you on about man? I do happen to think quite a bit about things that involve math, physics, and finance. I thought it'd be a good idea to get CP to think about it. SebC did think about it and came up with a good solution.

I am 26 and the "homework" that i am onvolved with work related to making financial statements, auditing, and tax. If it was 8 years ago maybe then I could be accused of asking help on my math 30 homework.

And how does that make me sound as if I am trying to be brillaint? I didn't come here saying "are you guys mart enough to do this problem like I can" In fact, I couldn't do a problem that SebC made me realize was quiet simple.

[JeanLucPicard]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

if this equation is solved, we should be able to refuel the warp core and get to Rigel 12 by star date 1422.9

You got it man!! Except star-dates are in 6 figures I believe

[JeanLucPicard]

Originally Posted by Rathji

Brilliant idea.

Like my nephew who insists that he is supposed to use Google Translate to do his French homework.

edit: I just re-read the question, and if it has nothing to do with school, then Excel is likely your friend. The alternative, I think, is learning some linear algebra.

I know what you mean but Solver is not really "an easy way out". Solver first of all doesn't really give you an equation that you can use to do similar problem in future. So if it really was someone's school homework, then solver would just give them the answer and not the method.

[Rubicant]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I love it when people say that they were randomly thinking about it.

Either that means that its a homework assignment that they can't figure out. Or they're trying to indirectly brag about how brilliant they are on the board.

Personally last night I was thinking about Broads with big breasts with the occassional nod to Star Trek, math didn't enter the the the equation.

I also thought about the science of Gilligan's Island and the sad fact that for decades they couldn't get past the incoming tide and then I jumped into deciding that Gilligan's Island was actually the same Island as lost and the future episodes where they were off of the Island and in civilization didn't actually happen and they all had died in the original wreck and were waiting to move on. That would explain why they had random guests like the Monkeys and the Soviet Cosmonauts and the Globetrotters who were cleverly disguised scientists from the other side of the Island

Then back to broads with big breasts

Apparently it did.

[FanIn80]

0.999... = 1

[Northski]

The solution is a=C/11, b=C/22.