Maths Question

[dealtn]

But I don't see how the above gets to supposed answer (2) ...

On further consideration I agree with you. It doesn't.

The question, clarified by the OP is 63x2 - 27x + 14x2 - 6x = ?

This strikes me as unsolvable without more info. Others have assumed 63x2 - 27x + 14x2 - 6x = 0 and have gone on to solve it as a quadratic but it isn't, as far as my plumbery maths goes. They are actually asking what 77x2 - 33x is equal to, so it is not safe to assume it is zero. So how would one go about solving it? I don't think it is possible without more info. Possibly this is why it is a multi-choice question, we can plug in each answer offered as a simultaneous equation and seef* it works.

Seef: verb, invented by my kids, a contraction of "see if".

The question isn't solve for x = 0 though is it?

The question is which of the mutliple choice answers a) to e) is equal to the expression on the left of the "="? It might be zero, or any other number (or equation).

If that is too obtuse imagine if the formula was 2+2 and your multiple choice answers were 3+1, 7-2, 4x2 etc. To prove it mathematically at no point are you needing to show that the answer "equals" 4. Just that 3+1 is "equal" to 2+2.

[mc2fool]

Some of us did.

Oh yes, so you did, my apologies!

How do superscripts work please? We were discussing it on another forum and could not do it as the old way had been disabled in a software upgrade - found to a be some sort of security risk IIRC.

Click the Start button and enter Character Map. Squared and cubed (and 1) should be immediately visible. The rest (0 & 4-9) are, for some reason, much much further down.

[Mike4]

Some of us did.

Oh yes, so you did, my apologies!

How do superscripts work please? We were discussing it on another forum and could not do it as the old way had been disabled in a software upgrade - found to a be some sort of security risk IIRC.

Click the Start button and enter Character Map. Squared and cubed (and 1) should be immediately visible. The rest (0 & 4-9) are, for some reason, much much further down.

This might be why I can't do it. I'm on a MacBook, which has no Start key, numeric keypad or Alt key!

[Mike4]

But I don't see how the above gets to supposed answer (2) ...

On further consideration I agree with you. It doesn't.

The question, clarified by the OP is 63x2 - 27x + 14x2 - 6x = ?

This strikes me as unsolvable without more info. Others have assumed 63x2 - 27x + 14x2 - 6x = 0 and have gone on to solve it as a quadratic but it isn't, as far as my plumbery maths goes. They are actually asking what 77x2 - 33x is equal to, so it is not safe to assume it is zero. So how would one go about solving it? I don't think it is possible without more info. Possibly this is why it is a multi-choice question, we can plug in each answer offered as a simultaneous equation and seef* it works.

Seef: verb, invented by my kids, a contraction of "see if".

The question isn't solve for x = 0 though is it?

The question is which of the mutliple choice answers a) to e) is equal to the expression on the left of the "="? It might be zero, or any other number (or equation).

If that is too obtuse imagine if the formula was 2+2 and your multiple choice answers were 3+1, 7-2, 4x2 etc. To prove it mathematically at no point are you needing to show that the answer "equals" 4. Just that 3+1 is "equal" to 2+2.

That's pretty much exactly what I said, in the post of mine you quoted!

[Breelander]

This might be why I can't do it. I'm on a MacBook, which has no Start key, numeric keypad or Alt key!

It's the Option key on a Mac....

To use alt codes on Mac computers, use the Option key instead of the Alt key.

https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-use-alt-codes-4768659

[Mike4]

This might be why I can't do it. I'm on a MacBook, which has no Start key, numeric keypad or Alt key!

It's the Option key on a Mac....

To use alt codes on Mac computers, use the Option key instead of the Alt key.

https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-use-alt-codes-4768659

I thought it was the Options key, thanks.

But it doesn't work on laptops as they don't have a numeric keypad....

From your link:

"Note: You cannot use the numbers across the top of the keyboard for this. You must use the numeric keypad and with Number Lock enabled."

[dealtn]

But I don't see how the above gets to supposed answer (2) ...

On further consideration I agree with you. It doesn't.

The question, clarified by the OP is 63x2 - 27x + 14x2 - 6x = ?

This strikes me as unsolvable without more info. Others have assumed 63x2 - 27x + 14x2 - 6x = 0 and have gone on to solve it as a quadratic but it isn't, as far as my plumbery maths goes. They are actually asking what 77x2 - 33x is equal to, so it is not safe to assume it is zero. So how would one go about solving it? I don't think it is possible without more info. Possibly this is why it is a multi-choice question, we can plug in each answer offered as a simultaneous equation and seef* it works.

Seef: verb, invented by my kids, a contraction of "see if".

The question isn't solve for x = 0 though is it?

The question is which of the mutliple choice answers a) to e) is equal to the expression on the left of the "="? It might be zero, or any other number (or equation).

If that is too obtuse imagine if the formula was 2+2 and your multiple choice answers were 3+1, 7-2, 4x2 etc. To prove it mathematically at no point are you needing to show that the answer "equals" 4. Just that 3+1 is "equal" to 2+2.

That's pretty much exactly what I said, in the post of mine you quoted!

No, you said its (pretty much) unsolvable without additional information. I disagree.

[XFool]

My grandson has sent me this maths question asking for help.

Sadly, I'm not sure how to understand how to get to the answer. Can anyone help,please?

The question

63x3 - 27x + 14x2 - 6x ? Answer ( x-x ) ( 7x-3 )

Thank you from an incompetent grandfather.

Well, after a quick look, my immediate reaction is: "That is neither the question nor the answer!"

I'll read the rest of the thread now...

[Mike4]

But I don't see how the above gets to supposed answer (2) ...

On further consideration I agree with you. It doesn't.

The question, clarified by the OP is 63x2 - 27x + 14x2 - 6x = ?

This strikes me as unsolvable without more info. Others have assumed 63x2 - 27x + 14x2 - 6x = 0 and have gone on to solve it as a quadratic but it isn't, as far as my plumbery maths goes. They are actually asking what 77x2 - 33x is equal to, so it is not safe to assume it is zero. So how would one go about solving it? I don't think it is possible without more info. Possibly this is why it is a multi-choice question, we can plug in each answer offered as a simultaneous equation and seef* it works.

Seef: verb, invented by my kids, a contraction of "see if".

The question isn't solve for x = 0 though is it?

The question is which of the mutliple choice answers a) to e) is equal to the expression on the left of the "="? It might be zero, or any other number (or equation).

If that is too obtuse imagine if the formula was 2+2 and your multiple choice answers were 3+1, 7-2, 4x2 etc. To prove it mathematically at no point are you needing to show that the answer "equals" 4. Just that 3+1 is "equal" to 2+2.

That's pretty much exactly what I said, in the post of mine you quoted!

No, you said its (pretty much) unsolvable without additional information. I disagree.

No you don't!

I suggested the additional information needed could be found in the multi-choice answers offered, then you just copied my suggestion.

[bonrepos]

I have just revisited this thread again after being away.

I would like to thank all those who have contributed to finding a solution.

I have also noted that I made an error when I resubmitted the original question and
the correct resubmission is now corrected to the original question


63x3 - 27x + 14x2 - 6x = ?

The question has multiple choice answers which are

1. x(7x-3)x(7x - 3)
2. (x-x) (7x - 3)
3. (0) (7x-3)
4. (7x-3)
5. (x2-1) (7x-3) : x2 is squared

I am so sorry to have made this error and apologise for leading all your erudition unwittingly astray.

[XFool]

I have just revisited this thread again after being away.

I would like to thank all those who have contributed to finding a solution.

I have also noted that I made an error when I resubmitted the original question and
the correct resubmission is now corrected to the original question

63x3 - 27x + 14x2 - 6x = ?

The question has multiple choice answers which are

1. x(7x-3)x(7x - 3)
2. (x-x) (7x - 3)
3. (0) (7x-3)
4. (7x-3)
5. (x2-1) (7x-3) : x2 is squared

Well, I can only say that none of it seems to make any sense, still!

We still don't know when and where 'x' = x or 'x' = * (times)

IF by: 63x3 - 27x + 14x2 - 6x = ? is meant: 63*3 - 27x + 14*2 - 6x = ?

THEN 63*3 - 27x + 14*2 - 6x = 189 - 27x + 28 - 6x = 217 - 33x

1. x(7x-3)x(7x - 3) : Does not equal 217 - 33x (Equals 49x^3 - 42x^2 + 9x ?)
2. (x-x) (7x - 3) : Does not equal 217 - 33x (Equals zero)
3. (0) (7x-3) : Does not equal 217 - 33x (Equals zero)
4. (7x-3): Does not equal 217 - 33x (Equals 7x - 3)
5. (x2-1) (7x-3) : x2 is squared : Does not equal 217 - 33x (Equals 7x^3 - 3x^2 - 7x + 3)

OTOH

IF by: 63x3 - 27x + 14x2 - 6x = ? is meant: 63x^3 - 27x + 14x^2 - 6x = ?

THEN 63x^3 - 27x + 14x^2 - 6x = 63x^3 + 14x^2 - 33x

1. x(7x-3)x(7x - 3) : Does not equal 63x^3 + 14x^2 - 33x (Equals 49x^3 - 42x^2 + 9x ? )
2. (x-x) (7x - 3) : Does not equal 63x^3 + 14x^2 - 33x (Equals zero)
3. (0) (7x-3) : Does not equal 63x^3 + 14x^2 - 33x (Equals zero)
4. (7x-3): Does not equal 63x^3 - 27x + 14x^2 - 33x (Equals 7x - 3)
5. (x2-1) (7x-3) : x2 is squared : Does not equal 63x^3 + 14x^2 - 33x (Equals 7x^3 - 3x^2 - 7x + 3)

So...

As far as I can see, my original comment still applies:

Well, after a quick look, my immediate reaction is: "That is neither the question nor the answer!"

Time to give up?

[GoSeigen]

Time to give up?

Definitely not. Scotia gave the correct explanation ages ago.

GS

[XFool]

Time to give up?

Definitely not. Scotia gave the correct explanation ages ago.

GS

Having looked at that and the original 'question' and 'answers', AFAIAC, my original quote holds...

[GoSeigen]

Time to give up?

Definitely not. Scotia gave the correct explanation ages ago.

GS

Having looked at that and the original 'question' and 'answers', AFAIAC, my original quote holds...

Apologies, having looked at Scotia's and the OP's posts again, I see that it was Scotia's innovation to set the expression equal to zero. I now agree, there is no correct solution to the problem as recorded by the OP. EDIT: The second answer perhaps also has a typo?

GS

[Bminusrob]

I have just revisited this thread again after being away.

I would like to thank all those who have contributed to finding a solution.

I have also noted that I made an error when I resubmitted the original question and
the correct resubmission is now corrected to the original question


63x3 - 27x + 14x2 - 6x = ?

The question has multiple choice answers which are

1. x(7x-3)x(7x - 3)
2. (x-x) (7x - 3)
3. (0) (7x-3)
4. (7x-3)
5. (x2-1) (7x-3) : x2 is squared

I am so sorry to have made this error and apologise for leading all your erudition unwittingly astray.

Having been away for the weekend, since the original post, and now having looked at the correction I am still not convinced that we have the problem defined correctly. With a couple of small changes, I can at least get the correct numbers, if not the cubes, squares etc.I am assuming the problem is simply(?) a question of factorisation.

If (a) we calculate (9-2x)(7x-3), we get 63x -27 -14x^2 - 6x , so I have got all the right numbers, but the wrong cubes, squares etc. (Is this starting to sound like Morcambe and Wise meets Andre Previn yet?).

or (b):
If we calculate (9x-2)(7x-3) we get 63x^2 - 27x -14x + 6 and if we multiply the whole lot by x, we get 63x^3 -27x^2 -14x^2 + 6x

or (c):
If we calculate (2-9x^2)(3-7x) we get 63x^3 -27x^2 -14x + 6

In (b), some of the signs are wrong, and my mind is starting to think about adding square roots of -1 inside the brackets, but my brain is starting to hurt, and I think I am suffering from alcohol deficiency. Someone else have a go.

[Bminusrob]

OK I tried alcohol, then re-read the original, and the two corrections, and I think I just need more alcohol. Alternatively, it would be really good if we could get the definitive question. Does it have x^3 terms or not? And, while we are at it, can we have the possible solutions checked, re-checked and told to us definitively? Meanwhile, another glass of wine is called for.

[mc2fool]

I have just revisited this thread again after being away.

I would like to thank all those who have contributed to finding a solution.

I have also noted that I made an error when I resubmitted the original question and
the correct resubmission is now corrected to the original question


63x3 - 27x + 14x2 - 6x = ?

The question has multiple choice answers which are

1. x(7x-3)x(7x - 3)
2. (x-x) (7x - 3)
3. (0) (7x-3)
4. (7x-3)
5. (x2-1) (7x-3) : x2 is squared

I am so sorry to have made this error and apologise for leading all your erudition unwittingly astray.

No, that's not helping. There's too many potential issues to list and I can only suggest that what you do is grab and post an image of the question and choices.

Get your grandson to take a photo or grab a screen capture or whatever and post that so that we can see it exactly as it's presented, not a textual interpretation of it.

[XFool]

No, that's not helping. There's too many potential issues to list and I can only suggest that what you do is grab and post an image of the question and choices.

Get your grandson to take a photo or grab a screen capture or whatever and post that so that we can see it exactly as it's presented, not a textual interpretation of it.

Hah! That was going to be my exact request if any further progress were to be made.

Alternatively: Was this a question in a job application for GCHQ?

In which case perhaps the 'Question' was: "Here is some noisy data. Can you see a signal in the noise that makes the 'question' and an 'answer' make sense?"

My grandson is 19 and the maths test is one part of tests in order for him to gain entry to a government organisation (no not MI5!)

[Bminusrob]

I have just revisited this thread again after being away.

I would like to thank all those who have contributed to finding a solution.

I have also noted that I made an error when I resubmitted the original question and
the correct resubmission is now corrected to the original question


63x3 - 27x + 14x2 - 6x = ?

The question has multiple choice answers which are

1. x(7x-3)x(7x - 3)
2. (x-x) (7x - 3)
3. (0) (7x-3)
4. (7x-3)
5. (x2-1) (7x-3) : x2 is squared

I am so sorry to have made this error and apologise for leading all your erudition unwittingly astray.

I fully agree with mc2fool and XFool that we need to see the original question, nd not some transliteration of it. However in the meantime, by making one small change to the equation in the post above, if we change

63x3 - 27x + 14x2 - 6x = ?

to

63x3 - 27x + 14x2 - 6 = ?

the latter can be factorised as

(9x + 2)(7x^2 - 3)

I never did see the point of having two "x" terms (-27x and -6x) in the equation, and changing -6x to -6 looks a good bet to me, although I would normally expect the equation to be written as

63x^3 + 14x^2 -27x - 6

Come on, bonrepos. put us out of our misery.

[UncleEbenezer]

In which case perhaps the 'Question' was: "Here is some noisy data. Can you see a signal in the noise that makes the 'question' and an 'answer' make sense?"

My grandson is 19 and the maths test is one part of tests in order for him to gain entry to a government organisation (no not MI5!)

I don't think that's GCHQ's style.

But your underlying point makes sense. Why are they testing a 19-year-old on a subject that should be second-nature to anyone who at 16 did GCSE maths? Or is it rather that it's a psychometric test of how he reacts to a nonsensical problem? We still don't know if the original problem was malformed, or whether it got corrupted in the transcription.

But being a government organisation, it may very well be that Occam's razor points to simple incompetence.