How many chocolates did Angeline give to Billie

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a word problem involving the distribution of chocolates between Angeline and Billie. Participants explore algebraic methods and visual representations to determine how many chocolates Angeline gave to Billie. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and problem-solving techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the problem and sets up equations based on the relationships between the number of chocolates Angeline and Billie have.
  • Another participant formulates the equations, defining variables for the number of chocolates and deriving relationships based on the problem's conditions.
  • A third participant provides a visual representation using a diagram to illustrate the problem, attempting to solve for the value of "1 unit" in terms of chocolates.
  • A later reply questions the clarity of the definitions of "one unit" and "one part" in the context of the visual representation, suggesting that more explicit numerical values would enhance understanding.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing approaches to solving the problem, with some focusing on algebraic methods while others emphasize visual representation. There is no consensus on the clarity of the visual explanation or the definitions used within it.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of explicit definitions for "one unit" and "one part" in the visual representation, which may affect the understanding of the solution process. The discussion also reflects varying levels of clarity in the mathematical steps presented.

anemone
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Angeline and Billie shared some chocolates. Angeline had 70 more chocolates than Billie. After Angeline gave 20% of her sweets to Billie, Billie had 20 more chocolates than Angeline. How many chocolates did Angeline give to Billie?

(This is another word problem that can be approached by the model method...(Nod))
 
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That looks like a pretty standard "algebra" problem. Let x be the number of chocolates Angeline had and let y be the number of chocolates Billy had.

" Angeline had 70 more chocolates than Billie."
x= y+ 70 or y=x- 70.

" After Angeline gave 20% of her sweets to Billie, Billie had 20 more chocolates than Angeline."
20% of Angeline's sweets is 0.2x. After Angeline gives them to Billie she has x- 0.2x= 0.8x and Billie has y+ 0.2x sweets. y+ 0.2x= 0.8x+ 20. Subtract 0.2x from both sides to get y= 0.6x+ 20.

We have both y= x- 70 and y= 0.6x+ 20 so x- 70= 0.6x+ 20.

Solve that for x." How many chocolates did Angeline give to Billie?"
Multiply x by 0.2.
 
[TIKZ]
\draw (0,0) rectangle (2,1);
\draw (-8,0) rectangle (0,1);
\draw [<->] (-8, 1.4) -- (0.8, 1.4);
\node at (-3,1.6) {\small 4 units};
\draw [<->] (0, 1.2) -- (2, 1.2);
\node at (1,1.8) {\small 70 chocolates};
\node at (0.4,0.4) {\tiny 1 part};
\node at (1.4,0.4) {\tiny 1 unit};
\draw[thick, dotted] (0.8, 0) -- (0.8, 1);
\node at (-8.6,0.5) {\small A};
\node at (-8.6,-1) {\small B};
\draw (-8,-1.5) rectangle (0,-0.5);
\draw (0,-1.5) rectangle (1.2,-0.5);
\draw[thick, dotted] (0.8, -1.5) -- (0.8, -0.5);
\node at (0.4,-1) {\tiny 1 part};
\node at (1,-1) {\tiny 20};
\draw[very thick, dotted,green] (0,-1.5) rectangle (1.2,-0.5);
\draw[ultra thick, dotted,green] (0,-1.5) rectangle (1.2,-0.5);
\draw[ultra thick, dotted,green] (0.8,0) rectangle (2,1);
\draw[gray, thick, - >] (2.1,0.5) -- (2.2,0.5) -- (2.2,-1) -- (1.3,-1);
\draw [<->] (0,-1.7) rectangle (1.2,-1.7);
\node at (0.7,-1.85) {\tiny 1 unit};
[/TIKZ]

We are looking for the value of 1 unit.

$\begin{align*} 1 \text{ part}+1 \text{ unit}&=70\\1 \text{ part} +20&=1 \text{ unit}\\1 \text{ unit} -20&=70-1 \text{ unit}\\ 2 \text{ units}&=90\\ \therefore 1 \text{ unit}&=45\end{align*}$
 
That would be better if you had said what "one unit" and "one part" are in terms of numbers of chocolates.
 

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