Draw A little train for Today’s Math Question. It’s Fast!
by judiethcarol&RocketcatApril2010c
The question asks what is the largest number of boxes that can contain the number 2 if there are 10 boxes in total, the highest number in any box can only be four and all the boxes together add up to the number 32?
2 2 2 2 4 4 4 4 4 4
=32
Draw ten boxes. Start from the right putting in a couple of fours. 2x4=8 That leaves 8x2=16 Nope
Need more 4s Try 2 more 4x4 = 16 That leaves 6x2=12 12+16=28 Nope
Go for more! 6 little boxes x 4 in each one is 24. That leaves only 4 boxes to be 2=8.
24+8=32 AHA! Trial and error and visualizing is the fastest, most accurate way here.
There is a pattern, but you may see it before you know it. Count the number of boxes with 2.
The answer IS 4 BOXES CAN CONTAIN 2 TO REACH THE APOGEE OF HOW MANY CAN HAVE ONLY 2 WHEN THE MOST THE OTHERS CAN HAVE IS 4 AND 10 OF THESE BOXES ADD UP TO 32.
The numbers are low, and the reading passage is short. Today’s math question can be a ‘RACECAR’ question, so that you eliminate all the ‘wrong’ answers; but the easier way is to draw a little train!
What the test designer expects you to do is to recognize a pattern emerging; and, this is clearer for most of us with a visual.
judiethcarol&RocketcatApril2010
