- #61
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Yes. Please let it be dead.
Was bored today and searched for a puzzle. Came across this one....
- Context: High School
- Thread starter haynewp
- Start date
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- Puzzle
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around a puzzle involving the rate of gift-wrapping in a department store, specifically focusing on the calculation of how many gifts were wrapped per hour during a specified period. Participants explore the implications of the information provided and the necessary calculations to arrive at an answer, engaging in a mix of reasoning and debate regarding the interpretation of the problem.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
- Mathematical reasoning
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- One participant states the answer is 8 and seeks an explanation for the puzzle.
- Another participant challenges the first by asking for calculations and suggesting that the problem is trivial.
- Some participants propose that the aggregate rate of gifts wrapped rose to seven per hour over the full 60 hours, indicating a misunderstanding of how to interpret the problem.
- Several participants argue that the colleague's contribution is irrelevant to the final answer, suggesting that the problem can be solved by focusing solely on the aggregate rate.
- Others contend that the initial 15 hours of wrapping by one girl is necessary to understand the overall context of the problem.
- There is a discussion about the ambiguity of the problem statement, particularly regarding whether the rate of 7 gifts per hour applies to the last 45 hours or the entire duration.
- Some participants express confusion about the structure of the problem and whether the information provided is necessary for solving it.
- One participant emphasizes that the problem is a constant rates exercise, while another suggests that the narrative serves a purpose in contextualizing the math.
- Disagreement exists regarding whether the first 15 hours of work should be included in the calculations or if they can be disregarded.
- Participants highlight the need for clarity in the problem statement and express differing interpretations of the information given.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants do not reach a consensus on the correct interpretation of the problem or the necessary calculations. Multiple competing views remain regarding the relevance of the initial 15 hours and the role of the colleague in determining the final answer.
Contextual Notes
The discussion reveals limitations in the clarity of the problem statement, as participants express uncertainty about the time periods involved and the application of the rates mentioned. The ambiguity surrounding the interpretation of the rates and the overall context of the problem contributes to the ongoing debate.
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