math help

[mickeyfan2]

There is a problem with the numbers. If his batting average is 33 1/3 and he had 50 at bats then he hit the ball 50/3 = 17.5 times. This is not a valid #.

 

[DisneyGirl]

Who would have thought a simple little math problem could cause such confusion??!!??

(PS-- it's been quite few years, but I actually have an engineering degree... and if Google is right (which I trust more than me without a calculator), then I am wrong, and overly confused )

 

[simba928]

Your answer makes complete sense to me, though, DisneyGirl. At least I can explain where these numbers came from. The google one, although it could very well be correct, confuses me. If my teacher asked where the numbers came from, my answer would be "ummmm, google?". As I said, it is only worth 5 points and really isn't that big of a deal. I am thoroughly confused, though.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Who would have thought a simple little math problem could cause such confusion??!!??

(PS-- it's been quite few years, but I actually have an engineering degree... and if Google is right (which I trust more than me without a calculator), then I am wrong, and overly confused )

I have an engineering degree too and have always aced math problems. That is why I am convinced that there is an error in the problem. I think it should read that after practicing that he batted .500 (25/50) and when you add in his other record (.25) you get .333.

Thus you get two formulas

x/y = .25

(x+25)/(y+50) = .33

The first equation can be rewritten as:
x = .25y
x = y/4
4x = y

substitution into the second equation you get:
(x+25)/(4x+50) = .33
x+25 = .33(4x+50)
x+25 = (4x+50)/3
3(x+25) = 4x+50
3x+75 = 4x+50
75 = 4x+50-3x
75=x+50
25=x

y=4x=100

So hehad 25+25 = 50 hit
He batted 100+50 = 150 times

Thus his final average is 50/150 = .333333

So he hit 25 in the begining.

 

[tmt martins]

It says that he hit 25 out of the remaining 50 times that season, which means that after he practiced, he was up to bat 50 more times and actually hit 25 out of those 50.

I thought thats what it was to say but look in your OP and it doesn't say that is says 25 out of 50 for the season.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I thought thats what it was to say but look in your OP and it doesn't say that is says 25 out of 50 for the season.

I competely agree, but those number result in an invalid answer. That is why I think there is a mistake in the problem. The only way to get a valid answer is to do it the way I showed above.

 

[simba928]

Just wanted to let yall know, not that any of you care any more or anything, but anyways, the way Disneygirl solved it was correct. I didn't get it back until like a couple days ago. My math teacher had problems solving it and so all the math teachers had to get together and they had problems solving it working together. Yet, she still expected us to get it. My friend, who is in a different class, but got the same problem, didn't even have to hand it in because it was so complicated. GAAAHHHH!!!! I got all 5 points. WOOHOO! LOL.