Ahhhh...I don't get these

[fish_4_all]

Well if a plane flies at 30,000 feet above sea level and that is measured a positive then what is it when we go to the bottom of the ocean? After all every movie, documentary and other exploration in the ocean results in below the surface distances so wouldn't that be negative altitude which is distance?

Not worth arguing over anyway, it is math after all and the last time I checked; after all, english terminology to try and explain math is a whole other topic.

Kind of like saying the temeperature is below 0 and think it is actually a reference to an absolute number where in Celcius or Fehrenheit it isn't, it is a made up point of reference.

So I guess you are right that distance can't be negative but planes are actually flying at 30,000 + the distance from the earths core to sea level because the point of reference would the earths core and not sea level.

If you have an arbitrary starting point then there has to be both negative and positive of anything you measure.

[bs6749]

Right, that is exactly what I was trying to say. It is all relative and a positive could be a negative if the reasoning was switched around although it may not make sense. Example: Say that sea level was 0 and anything below that was measured as a positive value and anything above that was a negative value. It is only negative because it is the opposite of the way that is deemed to be positive. It is just a convenient way of expressing "the opposite distance of the normal, positive way. I think you understand.
The reason I said anything was because I thought of something that my math teacher said. She gave an example about trying to come up with any values that could represent length (or distance) of a rectangle for example. This set is all POSITIVE real numbers such as whole numbers and fractions. NOT negative because negative distances are not possible. After all, how would you draw a negative distance? How can you portray this? That is what she was trying to get people to understand.
English is actually a helpful too in interpreting mathematics. She said that as well. For instance "at least 3, at most 3, exactly 3" all have clear meanings thanks in part to english (or whatever language people studying math use). Language can help to clarify math problems and make the work easier to do.

[bs6749]

The answer to the question, BTW, IS -3024, which is the SMALLEST value possible with any 5 of those numbers being multiplied.

[fish_4_all]

Well as far as English and math I was talking baout statements like "The length of time" where time is an amount and not a length and such things. Aslo, your example is a classic example of the English language and it's possible confusion. The statement: "at most 3" when we tlak baout it in speech meand 1,2 or 3. In math it is an infinit number of numbers from 0 to 3.

I agree with the rectangle also. It is when we start assigning arbitrary numbers for starting points that you get in trouble. A rectangle has a start and an end as defined by math. 4 line segments that connect forming a shape that has opposite sides that are equal and parralel with all angles of 90 degrees.

Don't get me wrong, this is the math I love. The cut and dry here it is math that has no theoretical nuances that make it confusing. Engineer at heart, what can I say.

I once thought of becoming a math teacher until I got into a math discusion with a college prof that had degrees in both math and English, now that is a conversation that I never want to have again.

[bs6749]

Originally Posted by fish_4_all

I once thought of becoming a math teacher until I got into a math discusion with a college prof that had degrees in both math and English, now that is a conversation that I never want to have again.

LOL... yeah I bet that was a fun time. : )

What I meant about the "at most three, no less than 3..." was that there was a set of numbers given (integers or fractions), but you are right about there being an infinite amount of numbers between any 2 integers. I did not specify what I meant.

Time is relative. Einstein theorized it and supporting evidence has confirmed that basically as something approaches the speed of light time slows down. So an astronaut that is gone for 2 years traveling near the speed of light comes back to Earth and he knows NOBODY because hundreds or even thousands of years have passed. Weird to think about but it is true. I didn't understand it at first but I think about it a lot and I think that I am beginning to understand why it works in the way that it does. No, I could not explain it to anyone. Yes, I would like someone who knows to explain it to me LOL. Funny how Einstein thought that he was wrong with his theory of relativity only to have it be confirmed years later. Just imagine if he were alive today.

[fish_4_all]

I am just waiting for someone to come up with a theroy and then prove that 2x2 actually equals EDIT: (5)

Is just so hard to try and explain anything in english terms when math is so unconventional in so many ways. Too many ways to make a mistake and have it blasted by mathematicians.

As for time being relative and approaching the speed of light, what does this mean for light itself? Does it travel at speed that we can't measure or is it the true measureing point for the speed of light. Also remember, Einsteins theory is still a theory, just a proven one by math. Wait until we actually travel that fast and lets see how accurate the theory is.

Is actually why I like math because you can make something true even if it is only theory or better yet, a statistic. Is no wonder why most politicians or at least their campaign managers are master statisticians. lol

Do they actually gives us the answers to the questions?

I did have a thought about negative numbers also and that question. The actual truest smallest product I can up with is 3 short of 0 of course. And in finances, a positive 3 is definately smaller than a negative -3024, lol. I know, making way too much out a question that is probably just a basic math question but why not, is the basis of math isn;t it.

[fish_4_all]

They got a chcuckle when I sent them 3 answers but actually said all of them were correct. The one they were looking for was -3,024.

Kind of a fun site to go to and see if the mind still works.

[Blazeherd2306]

Thanks to everyone! I forget math so easily, so they aren't too easy for me. I took Geometry 2 years ago, so those are hardest for me. Some of the Algebra in Action ones are tough too.

This weeks ones weren't near as hard as last week's.

[indy]

If you think time slows down at the speed of light, you should try spending time with the inlaws. I'm pretty sure time actually stops for the entire weekend

[Blazeherd2306]

Wow the problem of the week this week is really hard . I got the Algebra in Action, but not the problem of the week.