GRE prcatice question

Art Vandelay · 27th September 2004, 10:20 PM

I saw this problem in a practice GRE book:

a*b*c=3a+4b-1/2 c

Which is greater:
3*6*12, or 27?

What do you think the answer is?

GreyWanderer · 28th September 2004, 01:34 PM

I don't understand? Are those two the same problem? I mean, it's obvious that 3*6*12 is greater than 27...

Dorman · 29th September 2004, 07:24 AM

Does * mean multiplication ?

balrog666 · 29th September 2004, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Art Vandelay

What do you think the answer is?

Time to buy a different book!

Art Vandelay · 29th September 2004, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dorman
Does * mean multiplication ?

Very good! You're on your way to figuring it out! You see, this is one of those symbolic questions. The first equation isn't a statement about a, b, and c. It's a definition of what "*" means. My sister said that the GRE doesn't use the asterisk for multiplication, so it really isn't confusing for them to create an entirely new meaning for it. Never mind that in certain circles, an asterisk is synomynous with a cross or dot. Seems like redefining the carrot to me. I hope nothing like this is actually on the GRE.

"GRE for Dummies" indeed.

Zep · 30th September 2004, 04:24 AM

They had better restate their problems to be much more clear what their intention is. I doubt there's many school-age children who haven't been exposed to "software programming". Consequently there will be a "society-specific" automatic understanding of what the statement is about that's different (and not correct) from what is actually intended.

Let me suggest this modification:

If a*b*c is calculated as 3a+4b-c/2

Which is greater: 3*6*12, or 27?

GreyWanderer · 30th September 2004, 12:27 PM

I don't understand anything, and I'm going to take the GRE this year. I'm getting worried now.

Art Vandelay · 30th September 2004, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zep
They had better restate their problems to be much more clear what their intention is. I doubt there's many school-age children who haven't been exposed to "software programming". Consequently there will be a "society-specific" automatic understanding of what the statement is about that's different (and not correct) from what is actually intended.

Let me suggest this modification:

If a*b*c is calculated as 3a+4b-c/2

Which is greater: 3*6*12, or 27?

No, that doesn't really change it. Maybe if they said "for all a, b, c ..." or "The asterisk is defined as being a symbol such that..."

T'ai Chi · 1st October 2004, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Art Vandelay
No, that doesn't really change it. Maybe if they said "for all a, b, c ..." or "The asterisk is defined as being a symbol such that..."

The asterisk, or a filled in circle, is regularly used as a symbol for an 'operator'.

pupdog · 1st October 2004, 07:22 PM

I showed a colleague a graph that had "32 - s*10" on it (explaining a curve) and he kept looking for the footnote.

epepke · 2nd October 2004, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zep
They had better restate their problems to be much more clear what their intention is. I doubt there's many school-age children who haven't been exposed to "software programming". Consequently there will be a "society-specific" automatic understanding of what the statement is about that's different (and not correct) from what is actually intended.

Let me suggest this modification:

If a*b*c is calculated as 3a+4b-c/2

Which is greater: 3*6*12, or 27?

Or "defined" or use the definition symbol (three horizontal lines) instead of the equals symbol.

I think the problem should be stated like this, presuming this Unicode thingie works:

aâŠ•bâŠ•c â‰¡ 3a+4b-c/2

Lucky · 3rd October 2004, 09:42 AM

I suppose it means:
Take a number triple a,b,c, and define * to be some operation such that, for this triple a*b*c=3a+4b-c/2. Which is greater: 3*6*12, or 27?

The answer is that theyâ€™re the same. Though we werenâ€™t asked, * could be, for example:
(working left to right) multiply by the next number and divide by 2^(ordinal position of the previous number).

Strange puzzle.

What is GRE, by the way?

epepke · 4th October 2004, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lucky
What is GRE, by the way?

I think it stands for Graduate Record Examination. It's a standardized test that people take as part of getting into a graduate program in the US.

Thumper · 6th October 2004, 02:39 PM

To answer the original question:

3*6*12 = 27, therefore one is not larger than the other.

As someone who took the GRE for entry into a non-technical field, the problem is acceptable.

27th September 2004, 10:20 PM	#1
Art Vandelay Illuminator Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 4,790	GRE prcatice question I saw this problem in a practice GRE book: abc=3a+4b-1/2 c Which is greater: 3612, or 27? What do you think the answer is?

28th September 2004, 01:34 PM	#2
GreyWanderer Thinker Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 140	I don't understand? Are those two the same problem? I mean, it's obvious that 3612 is greater than 27...
GreyWanderer Thinker Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 140	__________________ "Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends." - J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings

29th September 2004, 07:24 AM	#3
Dorman Scholar Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 84	Does * mean multiplication ?
Dorman Scholar Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 84

29th September 2004, 01:54 PM	#4
balrog666 Eigenmode: Cynic Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,527	Re: GRE prcatice question Quote: Originally posted by Art Vandelay What do you think the answer is? Time to buy a different book!
	__________________ A person who won't think has no advantage over one who can't think. - (paraphrased) Mark Twain Diversity--When all colors and creeds believe exactly as liberals want them to. Or Else! -Coyote

30th September 2004, 04:24 AM	#6
Zep Banned Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 26,985	They had better restate their problems to be much more clear what their intention is. I doubt there's many school-age children who haven't been exposed to "software programming". Consequently there will be a "society-specific" automatic understanding of what the statement is about that's different (and not correct) from what is actually intended. Let me suggest this modification: If abc is calculated as 3a+4b-c/2 Which is greater: 3612, or 27?
Zep Banned Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 26,985

29th September 2004, 11:30 PM	#5
Art Vandelay Illuminator Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 4,790	Quote: Originally posted by Dorman *Does mean multiplication ?** Very good! You're on your way to figuring it out! You see, this is one of those symbolic questions. The first equation isn't a statement about a, b, and c. It's a definition of what "*" means. My sister said that the GRE doesn't use the asterisk for multiplication, so it really isn't confusing for them to create an entirely new meaning for it. Never mind that in certain circles, an asterisk is synomynous with a cross or dot. Seems like redefining the carrot to me. I hope nothing like this is actually on the GRE. "GRE for Dummies" indeed.

30th September 2004, 12:27 PM	#7
GreyWanderer Thinker Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 140	I don't understand anything, and I'm going to take the GRE this year. I'm getting worried now.
GreyWanderer Thinker Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 140	__________________ "Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends." - J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings

30th September 2004, 11:58 PM	#8
Art Vandelay Illuminator Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 4,790	Quote: Originally posted by Zep They had better restate their problems to be much more clear what their intention is. I doubt there's many school-age children who haven't been exposed to "software programming". Consequently there will be a "society-specific" automatic understanding of what the statement is about that's different (and not correct) from what is actually intended. Let me suggest this modification: If abc is calculated as 3a+4b-c/2 Which is greater: 3612, or 27? No, that doesn't really change it. Maybe if they said "for all a, b, c ..." or "The asterisk is defined as being a symbol such that..."

1st October 2004, 01:01 AM	#9
T'ai Chi Penultimate Amazing Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 11,235	Quote: Originally posted by Art Vandelay No, that doesn't really change it. Maybe if they said "for all a, b, c ..." or "The asterisk is defined as being a symbol such that..." The asterisk, or a filled in circle, is regularly used as a symbol for an 'operator'.

1st October 2004, 07:22 PM	#10
pupdog Muse Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 627	I showed a colleague a graph that had "32 - s*10" on it (explaining a curve) and he kept looking for the footnote.
	__________________ Professor Pupdog

2nd October 2004, 02:50 AM	#11
epepke Philosopher Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 7,950	Quote: Originally posted by Zep They had better restate their problems to be much more clear what their intention is. I doubt there's many school-age children who haven't been exposed to "software programming". Consequently there will be a "society-specific" automatic understanding of what the statement is about that's different (and not correct) from what is actually intended. Let me suggest this modification: If abc is calculated as 3a+4b-c/2 Which is greater: 3612, or 27? Or "defined" or use the definition symbol (three horizontal lines) instead of the equals symbol. I think the problem should be stated like this, presuming this Unicode thingie works: aâŠ•bâŠ•c â‰¡ 3a+4b-c/2
epepke Philosopher Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 7,950

3rd October 2004, 09:42 AM	#12
Lucky Graduate Poster Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1,196	I suppose it means: Take a number triple a,b,c, and define * to be some operation such that, for this triple abc=3a+4b-c/2. Which is greater: 3612, or 27? The answer is that theyâ€™re the same. Though we werenâ€™t asked, * could be, for example: (working left to right) multiply by the next number and divide by 2^(ordinal position of the previous number). Strange puzzle. What is GRE, by the way?
	__________________ I believe that economic advances merely provide the opportunity for a step forward which, as yet, hasn't happened. All we have done is to advance to a point at which we could make a real improvement in human life, but we shan't do it without the recognition that common decency is necessary. George Orwell

4th October 2004, 02:47 AM	#13
epepke Philosopher Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 7,950	Quote: Originally posted by Lucky What is GRE, by the way? I think it stands for Graduate Record Examination. It's a standardized test that people take as part of getting into a graduate program in the US.
epepke Philosopher Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 7,950

6th October 2004, 02:39 PM	#14
Thumper Thinker Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 234	To answer the original question: 3612 = 27, therefore one is not larger than the other. As someone who took the GRE for entry into a non-technical field, the problem is acceptable.
Thumper Thinker Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 234	__________________ Two cents from Tennessee.