Algebra Story Problem: Big and Little Jesse's Walking Challenge

[GuMdRop]

I Need Help Immediatly!

I have another stupid algebra story problem that is really hard for me and might be easy for others. If you come up with the answer please tell me, or give me clues on how to figure the problem out. The teacher is asking for an explanation to go with the answer to! DUE MONDAY!

Big Jesse takes 2 steps for every 3 steps that Little Jesse takes. To bein walking, they each step forward on their right foot at exactly the same time. When will their left feet touch the ground at exactly the same time??

 

[VantagePoint72]

While I can't tell you the answer directly, forum rules, I'll try and put you on the right track. If you start with your right foot, the only way you'll end up with your left foot forward is if you take an even number of steps. So the question is really, "At what point will Big Jesse and Little Jesse both have taken an even number of steps?" At any given time, Little Jesse has taken 1.5 times as many steps as Big Jesse. See if you can write an algebra equation that, when solved for the variable, will equal the smallest even number that results in another even number when multiplied by 1.5. What does this number represent? What does this number times 1.5 represent? Hope that helps.

 

[GuMdRop]

i am still really confused, i am only in 7th grade

 

[VantagePoint72]

Hmm...perhaps it would help if you figured out the answer some other way first and then came up with an algebra equation, if that's what your teacher said you need. This problem is simple enough that it doesn't require algebra to solve. If you still can't figure the problem out without using an algebraic equation, see if you can come up with a real life model of the problem- maybe ask your parents to play Big Jesse and Little Jesse, and have one take 1.5 steps for every 1 step the other takes (this is the same as saying 3 steps for every 2 the other takes). Count the number of steps each takes before both have their left foot forward. With the answer in hand, maybe you'll have an easier time coming up with an equation.

 

[bull34]

2:3 ratio

Just put on paper LR LR L
LRL RLR L

and write your equation from that.

 

[Galileo]

It's like playing the piano: Eight triplets vs. Quarters. But with added left and right:
R-L-R-L-R-L-R-L-R-L-R-L-R...
R--L--R--L--R--L--R--L--R...

 

[Sariaht]

{For every step A takes B takes 1,5
{their first step was at the same time
{their first step was with the right foot

If they both start at the same time, steps(B) = 1,5*steps(A) - .5, cause A(1) = B(1)

Every second step for A is a left step, and every second step for B is a left step. The question is thereby:

When is 2x = 1,5*2n - .5?

Never!

 

[The Bob]

It's like playing the piano: Eight triplets vs. Quarters. But with added left and right:
R-L-R-L-R-L-R-L-R-L-R-L-R...
R--L--R--L--R--L--R--L--R...

R-L-R=L-R-L=R-L-R=L-R-L=R-L-R=L-R-L=R-L-L
R--L==R--L==R--L==R--L==R--L==R--L==R--L
[The Above is a visual aid for me and others, it separates the steps into twos and threes with eqaul signs]

I believe it is impossible for them to both step with their left feet at the same time. I believe this because of what Galileo said about triplets and quavers in music. As the person, who takes two steps compared to the others three, always steps on the right foot. This is the only time that they can step together as the other steps are at different times.

The Bob (2004 ©)

 

[HallsofIvy]

What is the smallest number that is divisible by both 2 and 3?

 

[Sariaht]

But HallsofIvy, they take the first step simultaneously with the right foot. Adding to this that Little Jesse takes 1.5 steps for every step Big Jesse takes, we get step(Little Jesse) = (3/2)step(Big Jesse) - 1/2

Both step(Little Jesse) and step(Big Jesse) must be even, and that never happens.

 

[Galileo]

True. After 6 steps they set their foot down simultaneously for the first time after the first step, but it's their right foot, so the process repeats from there.

 

[Sariaht]

I have another stupid algebra story problem that is really hard for me and might be easy for others. If you come up with the answer please tell me, or give me clues on how to figure the problem out. The teacher is asking for an explanation to go with the answer to! DUE MONDAY!

Big Jesse takes 2 steps for every 3 steps that Little Jesse takes. To bein walking, they each step forward on their right foot at exactly the same time. When will their left feet touch the ground at exactly the same time??

If Big Jesse takes 2 steps for every 3 steps that Little Jesse takes, Little Jesse takes 1.5 steps for every step Big Jesse takes,
steps(Little Jesse) is proportional to 1.5*steps(Big Jesse) + C.

If they both step the first step simultaneously
steps(Little Jesse) = 1.5*steps(Big Jesse) -.5

If steps(Big Jesse) is even Big Jesse steps with his left foot and 1.5*steps(Big Jesse) -.5 is X.5

Can we all agree on this Galileo?

 

[Alkatran]

Think about it this way:

Both people are on their right foot.
Person one takes 2 steps (back to right)
Person two takes 3 steps (to left)
This is the first time they hit simultaneously.

You can tell person two goes between right and left, while person one is ALWAYS right when they hit together.

So they never hit their left feet together.

 

[The Bob]

So they never hit their left feet together.

I have already said this. Why do people not listen? :grumpy:

The Bob (2004 ©)