Reasoning and Writing Question, what's your interpretation?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a mathematics exam with a scoring system based on correct, incorrect, and blank answers. The student needs to formulate an equation representing the total score as a ratio of points earned to points possible.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to derive an equation based on the scoring rules and expresses uncertainty about whether their equation addresses all aspects of the question. Some participants question the appropriateness of setting the equation equal to the total points possible, suggesting a need for clarification on what constitutes a ratio.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem and the requirements for the equation. Some guidance has been offered regarding the structure of the equation, but there is no explicit consensus on the correct formulation yet.

Contextual Notes

The problem allows for multiple interpretations and solutions, as indicated by the original poster's mention of the acceptance of various answers. There is also a note of a potential typo in the original equation formulation.

PotentialE
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Homework Statement


A student takes a 30-question mathematics exam on which she got n questions correct and m questions incorrect and left k questions blank. If correct answers are worth 4 points, incorrect answers are worth -1 points, and blank answers are worth 0 points, write an equation to describe the student's total score as a ratio of total points earned to total points possible.


Homework Equations


anything you can come up with! it's a logic-based question and they accept many different answers.


The Attempt at a Solution


what I would think, is that since there are 30 question, and if you get them all right you'll get 4 points each, meaning you'll get a 120 if you get a perfect score.
so the equation I came up with is:
4n - 1m + 0k = 120
4n - 1m = 120

any other suggestions? does this answer all parts of the question? looking for clever responses...
 
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PotentialE said:

Homework Statement


A student takes a 30-question mathematics exam on which she got n questions correct and m questions incorrect and left k questions blank. If correct answers are worth 4 points, incorrect answers are worth -1 points, and blank answers are worth 0 points, write an equation to describe the student's total score as a ratio of total points earned to total points possible.


Homework Equations


anything you can come up with! it's a logic-based question and they accept many different answers.


The Attempt at a Solution


what I would think, is that since there are 30 question, and if you get them all right you'll get 4 points each, meaning you'll get a 120 if you get a perfect score.
so the equation I came up with is:
4n - 1m + 0k = 120
4n - 1m = 120

any other suggestions? does this answer all parts of the question? looking for clever responses...

Setting it equal to 120 is not a ratio.
 
RoshanBBQ said:
Setting it equal to 120 is not a ratio.

yeah that's a typo, on my paper i have a colon

4n - 1m : 120
 
Do you have any reason to believe your answer is insufficient?
 

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