# Are you smarter than a 5th grader question

## Main Question or Discussion Point

The question was how many angles in a scalene triangle have the same number of degrees. They accepted her answer of zero, but I would think that the only reasonable correct answer to that question would be one.

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The question was how many angles in a scalene triangle have the same number of degrees. They accepted her answer of zero, but I would think that the only reasonable correct answer to that question would be one.
If only people spoke in C, or maybe C++ ;)

Astronuc
Staff Emeritus
Of course 1 is the same as 1, or a = a, which is the Reflexive Property of Equality. However, I don't believe the meant that.

A scalene triangle is a triangle that has three unequal sides (i.e. three unequal angles, i.e. none the same as either of the other two), as opposed to an isosceles triangle is a triangle with (at least) two equal sides, or an equilateral triangle with three equal sides.

I have not heard that word before, or at least its been so long I forgot it.

-scalene

BobG
Homework Helper
The question was how many angles in a scalene triangle have the same number of degrees. They accepted her answer of zero, but I would think that the only reasonable correct answer to that question would be one.
If only people spoke in C, or maybe C++ ;)
Of course, in C++, a 'word' can mean only one thing. English is a different story:

I don't know what you mean by "glory,"' Alice said.

Humpty Dumpty smiled contemptuously. Of course you don't -- till I tell you. I meant "there's a nice knock-down argument for you!"'

But "glory" doesn't mean "a nice knock-down argument,"' Alice objected.

When _I_ use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, it means just what I choose it to mean -- neither more nor less.'

The question is,' said Alice, whether you CAN make words mean so many different things.'

The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, `which is to be master - - that's all.'
If you're asking how many angles have the same number of degrees, then you're using the 3rd definition, which compares two or more objects. One isn't an option.

same /seɪm/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[seym] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective 1. identical with what is about to be or has just been mentioned: This street is the same one we were on yesterday.
2. being one or identical though having different names, aspects, etc.: These are the same rules though differently worded.
3. agreeing in kind, amount, etc.; corresponding: two boxes of the same dimensions.
4. unchanged in character, condition, etc.: It's the same town after all these years.
–pronoun 5. the same person or thing.
6. the same kind or category of thing: You're having steak? I'll have the same, but very rare.
7. the very person, thing, or set just mentioned: Sighted sub sank same.
8. the same, in the same manner; in an identical or similar way: I see the same through your glasses as I do through mine.
In the context of the sentence, 'same' is the same as 'equal' even though it's not the same word. Usage of 'same' is the same as it ever was.

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i guess i m not smarter than the 5th grader!!! i didnt get what u guyz just said

My opinion is that the question itself is ill-posed, should be rejected as ugly by a sensical person, and reformulated before any answer can be provided :tongue2:

i guess i m not smarter than the 5th grader!!! i didnt get what u guyz just said
BobG is saying that in order to call an object the 'same', you need at least 2 objects. Saying that 1 object is the same is meaningless, the same as what? Whats hard to get about that?

What's the difference between a duck?

One of it's legs are the same.

That's not my joke by the way, I take no responsibility whatsoever for really bad jokes, even if they are used to point out why the OP is being silly.

What's the difference between a duck?

One of it's legs are the same.

:rofl:

text

Well if 1 isn't an option, then neither is zero.

berkeman
Mentor
I have not heard that word before, or at least its been so long I forgot it.

-scalene
Yeah, I don't remember it either. Here is the definition from the Wolfram website

http://mathworld.wolfram.com/ScaleneTriangle.html

A scalene triangle is a triangle that has three unequal sides, such as those illustrated above.
And I agree with the opinion that if you have three things, and are asked how many of them are equal, the only valid answers are 0, 2, 3.

NateTG
Homework Helper
And I agree with the opinion that if you have three things, and are asked how many of them are equal, the only valid answers are 0, 2, 3.
In general, things are considered to be equal to themselves.

It puzzles me that you don't remember "scalene" but that you do remember "equilateral" for instance, because in my classes, most of the exercises would deal with scalene triangles to begin with. Whenever you want to avoid your student to fall into particular cases, you need to specify not to consider them.

For instance, take the infamous nine-point circle of Euler. If you construct it with a special triangle, you will not see the beauty of the construction.

In general, things are considered to be equal to themselves.
It's a question of comparative congruency ie in comparison to another two angles.

You can't highlight the similarities to something of itself and the differences, unless you're making absurd jokes.

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Or "Why I prefer math and science to English".

BobG