Maths Question, There Are 24 Eggs In A Box, 3/8 Of Them Are Broken So How Many Eggs Are Not?

[mk1975]

Hi, my son has maths homework and we are stuck at this question, we need to answer as a fraction and as a whole number.
if you can help us please, thanks

[New Judge]

I don’t believe I was unkind or thoughtless.

Apart from the factual answers I gave to the question I said this:

“Good grief, mk! “

(I was genuinely flabbergasted that an adult did not have the ability to perform these calculations. It was not unkind or thoughtless. It was a genuine expression of surprise).

“…this is not maths, it is simple arithmetic. “

(Just my view. I differentiate between what some call “maths” and what I call simple arithmetic).

“…it is rather like saying that the end of term play at the local primary school is theatrical drama.”

(again, just my view on equating maths with arithmetic)

“When I was at school we were taught (by our maths teacher) arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, statistics etc. Yes, all maths. But if I were to ask a question about simultaneous equations I would head it "algebra". If I were to ask a question about the eight times table I would head it "arithmetic". “

(Same again, my take on the differentiation between maths and arithmetic).

I gave properly constructed answers to the question asked. I also expressed surprise at the inability of an adult in the UK to do the same. I’m not blaming the OP. I had actually compiled an answer which castigated the education system and highlighted the apparent discrepancy between the observation I made as a result of this question and the roaring successes in GCSE and ’A’ Level results of recent years. But I thought better of it. It prompted a bit of a debate (hence the 90-odd answers, when the question had been fully answered in about ten or so). We are continually told that the State education system in the UK is a rip-roaring success. It clearly is not. My only regret is that I did not make it clearer that I meant no criticism of mk. But I make no other apologies. It's a shame that one cannot make polite expressions of surprise without being labelled judgemental, unkind or thoughtless. Perhaps that's why the State education system is in such poor repair.

Now I'll take Mamyalynne's advice and retire gracefully from this.

[Peter Pedant]

Funny you should say that new judge
have you seen the SIlver Street Nativity ?

one of the Magi hangs upside down on the skool yard swing and chants I am not a divvy I am not a divvy....stars Josie Lawrence

[Peter Pedant]

Baldric - dirty boy....

[ludwig]

Anyway mk, to summarise..

Your numerical ability is no good, your vocabulary's dodgy, and you need to take more care with your eggs.

Welcome to Answerbank!

[bibblebub]

tsk, i make an innocuous joke about the eggs (nothing to do with the OP and also after more than 40 replies) and that gets removed, and yet all this other drivel remains

[AB Editor]

Not sure why this fell into an argument, other than some consider it a hobby...

Thread closed.