Thursday, May 15, 2008

Math Skills Brushup...

In order to keep our faithful Blog readers up to speed with thier math skills, I have put together a problem to solve. Let's take a look.
The Big Triple Blog has exactly 500 readers. Some new (reading less than a year) and some older. Last month we had a reception for our readers and decided the cost for the new members would be $14, but the cost for the old members would be $20. All of the new readers showed up, but only 70% of the old members came. So, with that info, how much did we collect for the event?

Leave a comment with your answer. First one to comment with the correct answer gets nothing.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

The Big Triple Blog has exactly 500 readers. Some new (reading less than a year) and some older. Last month we had a reception for our readers and decided the cost for the new members would be $14, but the cost for the old members would be $20. All of the new readers showed up, but only 70% of the old members came. So, with that info, how much did we collect for the event?
Let N=the number of new readers
Let L=the number of old readers

Let $N=the money collected from new readers
Let $L=the money collected from old readers

N+L=500 The Big Triple Blog has exactly 500 readers
N=500-L Subtracting L from both sides of the equation

N*14=$N the cost for the new members would be $14

.7*L*20=$L only 70% of the old members came
the cost for the old members would be $20

Total money collected is $N + $L
Substituting,

Total money is 14 * (500-L) + 14 * L = $7000

Anonymous said...

The Big Triple blog has only two readers. They each read the blog 250 times. But, neither reader attended the nonexistent reception because neither of them likes dry pork chops. Therefore, no money was collected.

Anonymous said...

Were the new readers Obama supporters? If so, they would want to change the fees.

Anonymous said...

No, the new readers were not Obama supporters, you fool. The fees were set so we could pay for the food. And the pork chops weren't dry.

Anonymous said...

The IRS wants to know how much profit was earned on this deal. Better be ready to file an amended 1040.

Anonymous said...

If there had been some cranberry sauce, I might have read the blog more.

Anonymous said...

Fifty cents.

Anonymous said...

Who's this hot shot Euclid?

Anonymous said...

Where's my nothing. I like it my way. With a smile.

Anonymous said...

This was the biggest piece of crap contest I ever saw. If I take a shot at a contest, I want a big prize. I want a trip or something. I want to find a hospitality package under my seat. I want to get there and enjoy some pineapple and a lei. I'd really like a hula party and a great big roast pig. No poi, though. It's not very good. Made of roots all pounded up. I knew the answer right away. This Euclid is the slowest guy in the universe.

Anonymous said...

When's the next contest? I'm chompin' at the bit for a real tough problem. Bring! it! on! Come on, tough guy! Hoo-ahhh!

Anonymous said...

Would you be able to speak at our PHD graduation ceremony next week? The graduates could profit from your experience.

Anonymous said...

I could have been reading the Democrat Daily E-Fax.

Anonymous said...

When is the next reception? What will you be serving with the pork chops? Do you validate?

Anonymous said...

If you don't know how much you made, you need to get another accountant. Who took the money? Does the word "embezzle" ring a bell?

Anonymous said...

If all the readers were new, you'd take in $7000. If all the readers were old, you'd take in $7000. If there were 499 new readers and 1 old reader who attended 30% in spirit and 70% in body, you'd take in $7000. Blah blah blah blah blah Blah blah blah blah blah Blah blah blah blah blah Blah blah blah blah blah Blah blah blah blah blah Blah blah blah blah blah Blah blah blah blah blah Blah blah blah blah blah Blah blah blah blah blah Blah blah blah blah blah Blah blah blah blah blah Blah blah blah blah blah. $7000. That's like speed counting.

Ed Slater said...

You think I'm missing now?

Anonymous said...

You wanna piece of me, big shot? Or, should I say 70% of a piece of me, big shot?

Anonymous said...

Am I too late to get in on this?

Anonymous said...

I might like nothing. I got it many times before, and it wasn't too bad. My sister's neighbor got nothing once. That was the year her good for nothing husband ran off with the school crossing guard. Really, nothing was pretty good for her. This exciting prospect will keep me entering math contests again and again. I went out and didn't buy a little display case to put my nothing into. Then, I wouldn't have to dust it or anything.

Anonymous said...

Thief, you stole that from NPR and the Click and Clack puzzler. I'll have your blogger of the year award for this blantant theft of intellectual property!!!!

Anonymous said...

Mister Click is a blank
and Clack's in a fog
NPR toads huff crank
They're all slappin' the dog

Pull my statue
and regret what you steal
It'll make your feet start to stink
and your head start to peel

I'll enter again
and I'll win the big prize
I want the whole deal
and I want super size

Anonymous said...

Update for all the other big thinkers out there: I received my prize today. It is very lightweight. It's a miracle of efficiency and space savings. My uncle had one of these for the last twenty years of his life. He traveled around America in vain looking for the perfect handout. He always said he wouldn't want to be tied down to a house or car or a chest full of gold. He wanted for nothing, and he got it. Now, it's my legacy, too. Maybe I'll start traveling the rails and show off my prize. Finally, I want to thank everyone at the contest office for this great distinction. If it weren't for this chance, I'd probably be stuck with something I might not want.

Anonymous said...

One of the big thinkers.