Problem Solving: No Idea Where to Start? Hints Here

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    Problem solving
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem-solving scenario where participants express confusion about the starting point for a mathematical problem involving lines and distances. The scope includes conceptual understanding and reasoning related to the problem's formulation and assumptions.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express a lack of understanding of how to approach the problem, questioning the purpose of being assigned such a task.
  • Others challenge the readiness of the original poster for the problem, suggesting that it is meant to test their skills.
  • One participant critiques the problem's formulation, pointing out that while one line is defined, the other line is not, leading to confusion about the point M and its relevance to the solution.
  • There is a suggestion that the problem may be nonsensical or poorly defined, raising questions about assumptions regarding the lines and the point of intersection.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express disagreement regarding the clarity and formulation of the problem, with no consensus on how to interpret the given information or the intent behind the problem.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in the problem's description, particularly the lack of information about line $l_2$ and the point M, which affects participants' ability to engage with the problem effectively.

Yazan975
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View attachment 8417

No idea where to start.
Any hints?
 

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Yazan975 said:
No idea where to start.
WHY were you given the problem then?

Did you miss math classes?
 
Wilmer said:
WHY were you given the problem then?

Did you miss math classes?

It is supposed to test us
 
Yazan975 said:
It is supposed to test us
I had a look at your 1st post; you do not seem ready for this...
 
Perhaps the purpose is to test whether you can recognize non-sense when you see it! The problem refers to two lines, $l_1$ and $l_2$, tells us that $l_1$ is given by px+ py+ r= 0 but nothing at all is said about $l_2$. And the problem asks for the distance from the origin to point M but what in the world is M?

Are we to assume that $l_2$ is the line through the origin perpendicular to $l_2$ and M is the point or intersection? In that case the given solution is correct but why aren't we told that?
 

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