Math Help

Discussion in 'General Discussions' started by domini212, Oct 22, 2008.

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  1. domini212

    domini212 Level III

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    Given a + 1 = b + 2 = c + 3 = d + 4 = a + b + c + d + 5, find the value of a + b + c + d.
     
  2. SoC

    SoC Moderator
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    a + 1 = b + 2 = c + 3 = d + 4 = a + b + c + d + 5, find the value of a + b + c + d.

    a +1 = b + 2
    b + 2 = c+3
    c + 3 = d+4
    d+4=a+b+c+d+5

    Ok
    start from the first equation,

    A-B=1 -> = A=1+b
    B-C=1 -> = B = 1+c
    C-D=1 -> = C = 1+d
    -1=a+b+c

    d+4=a+b+c+d+5

    d+4=(1+b)+(1+c)(1+d)+d+5
    d+4=8 +b+c+d+d
    0= 4 + b+c+d

    -1=(1+B) + (1+C) + (1+D)

    -1 = 3+B+C+D
    -4 = B+C+D

    Not too sure from there,
    i think thats the answer
    but the A is missing,
    but i think thats because the +d-d cancelled out earlier.

    Hope that helps xD

    If not then we get hmm

    -4 = B+C+D

    we needa Add A to that, but we need a value for.

    -4=B+C+D + (1+b)
    -5 = 2b+C+D

    IF B = A then the answer is -5
    let me try find B=A

    Wait, b can't equal A
    so thats wrong. meh ignore this :p
    If its any use enjoy :D
     
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  3. Zer0

    Zer0 Level IV

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    a+b+c+d+5 = a+1
    0a + 1b + 1c + 1d = -4

    a+b+c+d+5 = b+2
    1a + 0b + 1c + 1d = -3

    a+b+c+d+5 = c+3
    1a + 1b + 0c + 1d = -2

    a+b+c+d+5 = d+4
    1a + 1b + 1c + 0d = -1

    So now you have 4 linear equations, and 4 variables to solve
    0a + 1b + 1c + 1d = -4
    1a + 0b + 1c + 1d = -3
    1a + 1b + 0c + 1d = -2
    1a + 1b + 1c + 0d = -1

    Now this problem becomes solving the system of linear equations. So if you're lazy, just plug it into a matrix to solve. Otherwise you'll have to do a heck of a lot of substitution.

    Check this article out on how to solve a system of linear equations: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_linear_equations
     
  4. SoC

    SoC Moderator
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    a +1 = b + 2
    b + 2 = c+3
    c + 3 = d+4
    d+4=a+b+c+d+5

    a=B+1
    b=c+1
    c=d+1

    a=b+1
    a-1=c+1
    a-2=d+1

    a+a+a-1+a-2
    4a-3 = ?
    4a = 3
    A=3/4
    B=-1/4
    C= -5/4
    D= -9/4

    -12/4 = 3

    a+b+c+d = 3

    GOT IT!
    and tested
     
  5. Zer0

    Zer0 Level IV

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    Ummmmmmmmm, SoC, I did it my method and I got a different answer... I tested it too...
    A = 2/3
    B = -1/3
    C = -4/3
    D = -7/3

    A+B+C+D = -10/3
     
  6. SoC

    SoC Moderator
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    aha ur correct
    I didnt use the 4th equation
    4+d=a+b+c+d+5

    Meaning using my method
    It could be

    a/n, a+2n/n, a+3n/n and a+4n/n

    But, A is limited due to the 4th equation, meaning your answers are correct zero.

    Thought i missed something
     
  7. mjnskivt

    mjnskivt Level III

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    Hmmm well you have four variables (a,b,c,d) and several equations to solve them.
    A+1=B+2
    B+2=C+3
    C+3=D+4
    D+4=A+B+C+D+5

    The key equation here is A+B+C+D+5 because it contains all the variables.
    If we can isolate one variable, the equation can be solved. We do by solving for A in terms of B, C, and D.
    A+1=B+2
    B=A-1
    A+1=C+3
    C=A-2
    A+1=D+4
    D=A-3

    Now we insert these back into the "master" equation.
    A+(A-1)+(A-2)+(A-3)+5=A+1
    A+A-1+A-2+A-3+5=A+1
    4A-1=A+1
    4A=A+2
    3A=2
    A=2/3

    Now that we know A, we can find the rest of the variables using the original series of equations.
    B=(2/3)-1
    B=-1/3
    C=(2/3)-2
    C=-4/3
    D=(2/3)-3
    D=-7/3

    Finally, just plug those into A+B+C+D.
    (2/3)+(-1/3)+(-4/3)+(-7/3)=-10/3

    I hope I'm right! ;)
    Although it looks as if SoC and Zer0 have beaten me to the punch. :(
     
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  8. dee123123

    dee123123 Level II

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    You can also put it into a matrix and use Gauss elimination. <-- lazy way
     
  9. allan_gr8

    allan_gr8 Newbie

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    yeah he is right
    Please do not spam. Question has been answered. Topic Locked
     
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