NZ school exam and the impossible question

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kiwiincambodia
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NZ school exam and the impossible question

Post by kiwiincambodia »

So apparently, NZ is in an uproar over a school exam with a question that was deemed to advance to answer on their recent school exams, with even some teachers baffled to find the answer.

Here is the question that caused so much outrage....

Image

anyone know the answer?

Here is the article;
Schools reassure students and parents over maths exam fallout video

An unexpectedly difficult maths exam is unlikely to ruin students' future prospects, schools and the New Zealand Qualifications Authority say, after the test caused an uproar around the country.

Some NCEA students were reduced to tears, and others are said to have had their confidence shattered, by a "far too difficult" Level 1 algebra exam last week.

An apparent disparity between what students and teachers were expecting from the MCAT (maths common assessment task) exam, and what was delivered, left schools angry and demanding answers from the NZ Qualifications Authority.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/educati ... am-fallout
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Duncan
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Re: NZ school exam and the impossible question

Post by Duncan »

If your only hope of a job is milking cows, shearing sheep or working in KFC, then you should know the answer to that question.
Cambodia,,,, Don't fall in love with her.
Like the spoilt child she is, she will not be happy till she destroys herself from within and breaks your heart.
kiwiincambodia
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Re: NZ school exam and the impossible question

Post by kiwiincambodia »

To be fair, I cant find the answer.

Just sent it to my best Engineer to see if he can work it out.
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Born-Confused
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Re: NZ school exam and the impossible question

Post by Born-Confused »

Too easy mate!

Expand A out.
A = 3n^2 -12n + 6 + n (add up common terms)
A = 3n^2 - 11n +6

Expand B out using the old FOIL method:
B = 2n^2 - 12n + n -6 + n^2 +3 (add up common terms)
B = 3n^2 - 11n - 3

Subtract A from B..
A-B = (3n^2 - 11n +6) - (3n^2 - 11n - 3)
Cancel out common terms 3n^2 and 11n
A-B = 6 - -3
A-B = 9
A = 9 + B

:thumb:
kiwiincambodia
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Re: NZ school exam and the impossible question

Post by kiwiincambodia »

^ yeah we got there in the end.....

took longer than I am proud to admit though
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Re: NZ school exam and the impossible question

Post by Samouth »

kiwiincambodia wrote:^ yeah we got there in the end.....

took longer than I am proud to admit though
Don't know you are good at math. I have to admit that I am so weak at math. Didn't do well during the high school exam.
បើសិនធ្វើចេះ ចេះឲ្យគេកោត បើសិនធ្វើឆោត ឆោតឲ្យគេអាណិត។

If you know a lot, know enough to make them respect you, if you are stupid, be stupid enough so they can pity you.
kiwiincambodia
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Re: NZ school exam and the impossible question

Post by kiwiincambodia »

Samouth wrote:
kiwiincambodia wrote:^ yeah we got there in the end.....

took longer than I am proud to admit though
Don't know you are good at math. I have to admit that I am so weak at math. Didn't do well during the high school exam.
From a previous thread
kiwiincambodia wrote: There is a lot you don' know about me Sammy boy
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Re: NZ school exam and the impossible question

Post by taabarang »

I absolutely stink at math beyond the most basic level of fractions. Nonetheless I have had a full and meaningful life. None of my problems required math skills to solve them.
As my old Cajun bait seller used to say, "I opes you luck.
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Re: NZ school exam and the impossible question

Post by Samouth »

kiwiincambodia wrote:
Samouth wrote:
kiwiincambodia wrote:^ yeah we got there in the end.....

took longer than I am proud to admit though
Don't know you are good at math. I have to admit that I am so weak at math. Didn't do well during the high school exam.
From a previous thread
kiwiincambodia wrote: There is a lot you don' know about me Sammy boy
Please give me some more time to talk with Jamie first. I will come back here with your whole bio.
បើសិនធ្វើចេះ ចេះឲ្យគេកោត បើសិនធ្វើឆោត ឆោតឲ្យគេអាណិត។

If you know a lot, know enough to make them respect you, if you are stupid, be stupid enough so they can pity you.
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