Basic maths question?

Ice Rich · 7 Apr 2006 at 17:53

Hi,

Was watching a quiz show a few mins ago and the question was "what is a 1/2 + 1/2". The guy answerd 1/4 which was correct - does that sound right.

Rich

Killerkebab · 7 Apr 2006 at 17:54

1/2 multiplied by 1/2 gives 1/4.

You didn't listen correctly

daz · 7 Apr 2006 at 17:54

1/2 x 1/2 = 1/4

1/2 + 1/2 = 1

Carzy · 7 Apr 2006 at 17:59

Couldn't you have just done this on the Windows Calculator?

spirit · 7 Apr 2006 at 18:00

Carzy said:
Couldn't you have just done this on the Windows Calculator?

this.

Arcade Fire · 7 Apr 2006 at 18:26

Carzy said:
Couldn't you have just done this on the Windows Calculator?

Or in your head when you were twelve?

panthro · 7 Apr 2006 at 18:28

someone close this thread! a 10 year old could have worked this out, even if they misheard it :rolleyes:

Killerkebab · 7 Apr 2006 at 19:42

Arcade Fire said:
Or in your head when you were twelve?

Just because when you were twelve you were already working out logarithms in your head

ojo · 7 Apr 2006 at 20:09

A bit harsh! I teach adults who cannot do simple fractions. Often it is not their fault but rather bad teaching in a bad system...

Jimbo · 7 Apr 2006 at 22:12

I agree, it's shocking the way some people have a dig at others, because they cant do maths. Even if the maths are simple, give the guy a break.

iSam · 7 Apr 2006 at 23:02

I'm pants at Maths and I struggle to multiply fractions...so give the dude a break .

ojo · 7 Apr 2006 at 23:11

Go to bbc skillswise or gcse bitesize for help, good sites.

spirit · 7 Apr 2006 at 23:21

Arcade Fire said:
Or in your head when you were twelve?

... IF he was asking the question surely the whole point is he couldn't do it in his head, whereas with the calculator all he does is type the numbers & operation and magically out pops the answer...

MR_Punk · 7 Apr 2006 at 23:23

Thats weird because the answer im getting is "Bananas" ?

Oh wait a minute, i forgot to carry the one!

+44

Arcade Fire · 7 Apr 2006 at 23:48

Not being able to multiply fractions in your head is fair enough. A nineteen year old not knowing that two halves make a whole is shocking.

Morba · 7 Apr 2006 at 23:54

Arcade Fire said:
Not being able to multiply fractions in your head is fair enough. A nineteen year old not knowing that two halves make a whole is shocking.

hes not querying that, the answer was 1/4 which made him ask the question.
the answer was 1/4, however he heard the question wrong. that is all

GordyR · 8 Apr 2006 at 00:24

She's right you know Arcade Fire.

Sure the answer to that question most of us could have done without thinking before we had even concieved of pubic thatches... But...

If he misheard the question I guess I could understand him questioning it. Granted I've been out tonight and had a few beers so right now 1/2+1/2 = 1 pint of Fosters/a quick pee.

Anyway mister!... Why didn't you come to my rescue in the "Advanced Aliens" thread when I needed some sort of clarification with regards to my poor understanding of mathematics when dealing with infinity? I was relying on you to either set me straight or tear my thoughts to bits!

Neoni · 8 Apr 2006 at 00:56

lay off him tbh, its like you not being strong at something so i slate you.. and make you feel like crap. its not on.

Curio · 8 Apr 2006 at 01:09

Yeah, get off his case. I know somebody who is a genius at maths (he teaches it as well) but is, to be quite honest, a bit dense on anything else. We all have our strengths and weaknesses.

Arcade Fire · 8 Apr 2006 at 09:46

I find this a little hard to understand. You wouldn't go around boasting about how you're illiterate and some people 'just find it hard' to be able to speak or write properly. Yet people don't have a problem when someone who has (presumably) been through school doesn't know how to add up.

I take the point about mishearing the question etc etc, but in general, why do people think that it's alright not to be able to do arithmetic?