Reasoning and Writing Question, what's your interpretation?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around formulating an equation to calculate a student's total score on a 30-question math exam, where correct answers score 4 points, incorrect answers deduct 1 point, and blank answers score 0 points. The initial equation proposed is 4n - 1m, but it is clarified that this does not represent a ratio of total points earned to total points possible. The correct approach involves expressing the score as a ratio, specifically 4n - m : 120, where 120 is the maximum possible score. Participants emphasize the need for clarity in presenting the equation as a ratio rather than an equality. The conversation highlights the importance of accurately interpreting the problem requirements.
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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