Holy Crap! Third Grade Math

[MEG&MINNIE]

I'd love to know what the real answer is...please let us know tomorrow after your DS comes home from school with the correct answer !!!Thanks...I'm curious to find out now !!!

 

[Beth76]

Is this in his textbook? Are the answers in the back?

I just want to add that with word problems, each word is very important. The fact that is says "or" means that you are not to include dimes. "Or" doesn't necessarily mean that there are dimes in the pile. So in order to get the greatest amount you would have to use the greatest value coin--which is the quarter.

Besides, if it said "quarters, dimes and nickels", the dimes are plural meaning there are at least two, so using only one to fit the equation would still be incorrect.

 

[allie&mattsmom]

LOL Hope you don't have to pay for it in nickels

Yeah no kidding. It would be hot by the time I figured it out!

 

[mom2boys]

I got $3.60 and $1.60 and it took me about 30 seconds. Since the problem said "or" I did not use dimes in the equations. I used 7 nickles and 13 quarters since that would give you the greatest amount. In the second I used 3 quarters and 17 nickels since that would give you the least amount.

ITA - since it didn't "require" that at least one type of coin be used for each computation, I took the problem at face value.
I am a bit of a math geek. I tried to talk my way into Trig class my Junior year of high school. It was the highest offered at my Catholic girls high back in the 70s. Sad.

 

[allie&mattsmom]

Is this in his textbook? Are the answers in the back?

I just want to add that with word problems, each word is very important. The fact that is says "or" means that you are not to include dimes. "Or" doesn't necessarily mean that there are dimes in the pile. So in order to get the greatest amount you would have to use the greatest value coin--which is the quarter.

Besides, if it said "quarters, dimes and nickels", the dimes are plural meaning there are at least two, so using only one to fit the equation would still be incorrect.

Unfortunately no text book, it was just a worksheet. I understand what you're saying. Word problems were never my friend.

 

[EthansMom]

I got $3.60 and $1.60 and it took me about 30 seconds. Since the problem said "or" I did not use dimes in the equations. I used 7 nickles and 13 quarters since that would give you the greatest amount. In the second I used 3 quarters and 17 nickels since that would give you the least amount.

I agree with Beth.

 

[allie&mattsmom]

What strategies are y'all using? Is he drawing a picture? Making a chart?

Yeah, we were drawing twenty circles (coins) and taking it from there.

 

[2BigKIdz]

I got $3.60 and $1.60 and it took me about 30 seconds. Since the problem said "or" I did not use dimes in the equations. I used 7 nickles and 13 quarters since that would give you the greatest amount. In the second I used 3 quarters and 17 nickels since that would give you the least amount.

7 dimes and 13 quarters give you the greatest amount, not 7 nickels

 

[2BigKIdz]

In the first one, 7 have to be nickels, not dimes.

It's not clear from the question if there has to be at least one of each type of coin in each solution or if you can, say, leave out dimes to solve.

Kimya

why would it have to be nickels in the first? To get the greatest amount you would need to use dimes instead of nickels.

 

[Beth76]

7 dimes and 13 quarters give you the greatest amount, not 7 nickels

Read the problem. Seven nickels are included in the problem. We know for a fact that seven of the coins are nickels. Therefore, in order to get the greatest amount, the remaining 13 must be quarters.

 

[cyndibelle]

oh my god...my daughter is in the 3rd grade also..and man wanna feel dumb just open up their math book and wow....your questioning yourself and looking at your spouse like..ughhhh your turn....my husband does all the math cause geesh....i learned it once and well i dont wanna learn it again..

 

[allie&mattsmom]

I'll let you all know what the teacher says the real answer is. DH had DS change it from our original answer to the $3.60 & $1.60 because of the word "or" in the problem. This does make sense but still I'm not sure. I talked to some other mom's who were having the same problems. Some thought it should be the first answer also. I've learned one thing through this whole process....I always have and always will despise word problems! OMG, wait till my kids get in jr. high, then I'm really in trouble!!! Thanks for all of your help!! :thewave:

 

[golfgal]

When DS was in 3rd grade, he brought home a paper and had to do something or other. I had never even HEARD of what it was he was suppose to do and DH was out of town, so I "tried" to help. It wasn't pretty. We have since resorted to using the online homework help that his textbook publisher provides. He can usually figure stuff out using that now.

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

Did you get the correct answer from the teacher at school today...anxiously awaiting the CORRECT answer .Let us know when you get it !!!! Thanks

 

[LadyyRedd]

Bumping this - OP, did you get the correct answers?

Kimya

 

[allie&mattsmom]

Bumping this - OP, did you get the correct answers?

Kimya

Hi there! Ya know what? He didn't bring it home on Friday so I'm hoping it comes home today. I will definitely let you all know though. My curiosity is killin' me!

 

[LadyyRedd]

I need to know if I can still do third grade math at 30!

Kimya

 

[Buckalew11]

Ugh!!!

 

[mcnuss]

I'll let you all know what the teacher says the real answer is. DH had DS change it from our original answer to the $3.60 & $1.60 because of the word "or" in the problem. This does make sense but still I'm not sure. I talked to some other mom's who were having the same problems. Some thought it should be the first answer also. I've learned one thing through this whole process....I always have and always will despise word problems! OMG, wait till my kids get in jr. high, then I'm really in trouble!!! Thanks for all of your help!! :thewave:

One of my greatest frustrations was with a problem just like this one from a stupid worksheet. I am a very literal person and so is DD. The problem, like yours, clearly said "OR". She did it, I did it, and we both came up with an answer which she laid out for the teacher. It came back marked wrong. Teacher said that it was the larger number. I was so mad I wrote her a note and told her (nicely) to re-read her problem and DD's strategy for solving. She admitted she was wrong and fixed the grade. Didn't give me much confidence in the teacher, I have to admit.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Holy crap is right!!!!