So, after my last entry in which I lamented my problems figuring out how to solve an equation (even though I already had the answer) it ended out filling my dreams. Eventually I dreamed that I magically solved it by mashing all the numbers together. Unfortunately that did not work but it gave me the idea to try using the addition property of equality on 1/2 instead of using the multiplication property on it. I’m not the least bit sure that you’re supposed to do things this way but I got it to work. A kind soul commented on my entry showing a way to do it different than how I worked it but it still comes out to the same answer. To reiterate, I knew what x was (used a program to get the answer) I just did not know how to work the problem manually to get the right answer. Well whether his way or my way is right surely at least one of them has to be the right way to do it if we both got the correct answer. So here’s how I did it, operations for each step are in parenthesis.
x/4+1/2=3 (original equation)
x/4+(1/2+(-1/2))=(3-1/2) (addition property of equality: if a=b then a+c=b+c)
x/4=5/2 (2 1/2) (variable is now alone with its coefficient, might want to change it to 1/4x to keep yourself straight)
(x/4*4/x)=(5/2*4/1) (multiplication property of equality: if a=b then a*c=b*c)
x=10 (variable is now alone and we can see what x is)
so 10/4+1/2=3 which is the same as 10*.25+.5=3
Steve L. solved it this way:
4*(x/4) + 4*(1/2) = 4*3 (distributive property of multiplication? a*(b+c)=(a*b)+(a*c)
x + 2 = 12
x = 12 – 2 (addition property of equality)
x = 10 (answer)
Well, I would say that this isn’t the way I’ve learned to deal with fractions, mostly multiplying both fractions on the variable side by the reciprocal of the coefficient, I was taught to only do that to one fraction. but the way that I solved the problem isn’t the way I learned either so whatever works. The thing is, I could see neither way not working properly for more complicated equations. But I can’t write and am not expected at this time to solve more complicated equations so it’s all good?
Other than that I’ve mysteriously become able to ride my bicycle fast enough to collide with insects. I’m not sure why. After all recently I’ve developed a chronic shoulder injury, nagging back pain, and my stomach has bloated to at least twice its normal size for some reason. So if anything you’d think I’d cycle slower than ever. Perhaps my aerodynamics have improved? In any case I normally wear a typical bicycle helmet or no helmet (this isn’t a good thing to say to kids, but if you don’t get in a collision then the helmet is just there to annoy the hell out of you which I can do without, of course if you were in one it might save you) depending on my mood but after hitting 3 bugs with my face today I am considering getting a full enclosure helmet like motorcycle riders wear. I’m not sure whether any cyclists wear helmets like that, I thought maybe BMX but maybe not, I have no idea. I’m sure that a lot of people will get some laughs out of me riding along on my bicycle (actually I have a fair bike) in a Motocross helmet or something like that.
