An Algebra Problem

Let’s pick a variable. How about x? I always liked x.

Let x be a human. In fact, let x be a sponge sales representative. Like me, but, perhaps, not just like me.

x has a job coming up. It’s a seventeen day fair. x is in charge of the booth, and has to work every hour the fair is open. From ten a.m. to ten p.m., seven days a week. Except the Fourth of July when x gets off at nine. God Bless America!

Our assignment:
1. How many hours will x have to work?
2. If the sponge selling demonstration lasts approximately three minutes, and x is giving it nine out of every ten minutes x is working (a reasonable supposition, I think), how many times will x deliver the demonstration?

Our solution:
1. (twelve hours per day for sixteen days) + (nine hours per day for one day) = 203 hours.
2. 60 minutes per hour for 203 hours = 12360 minutes
But x is only giving the demo 9 out of every 10 minutes. Therefore, x will be giving the demo for 12360 X (9/10) = 11124 minutes.
Each demo lasts approximately three minutes. Therefore, x will give the demonstration 11124 / 3 = 3708 times.

Resolution:
x feels better. At the very most, x will have to present the virtues of the super sponge 3708 times. And 203 hours is hardly daunting.

Lets hear from the peanut gallery, eh?

0 thoughts on “An Algebra Problem

  1. Week of June 20, 2005

    Shawn shocks Belle by showing up at the hospital in Germany. Why is he there? Kate is furious when she finds out.

    Rex desperately tries to find out the truth about Mimi. Abby and Chelsea get schoolgirl crushes on a hot newcomer to Salem. Is he a mystery man from Jennifer’s past? Jack learns the truth from Lexie and it doesn’t look good. Abe and Lexie argue and, once again, Tek is there to comfort her. Will gets curious about his mother. Why is she so concerned about “Stan?” Brady turns his back on Nicole and she realizes she has to get Chloe out of the country. Now. Will Brady figure out what’s going on before it’s too late? Philip begins to doubt Belle’s fidelity.

  2. Week of June 20, 2005

    Shawn shocks Belle by showing up at the hospital in Germany. Why is he there? Kate is furious when she finds out.

    Rex desperately tries to find out the truth about Mimi. Abby and Chelsea get schoolgirl crushes on a hot newcomer to Salem. Is he a mystery man from Jennifer’s past? Jack learns the truth from Lexie and it doesn’t look good. Abe and Lexie argue and, once again, Tek is there to comfort her. Will gets curious about his mother. Why is she so concerned about “Stan?” Brady turns his back on Nicole and she realizes she has to get Chloe out of the country. Now. Will Brady figure out what’s going on before it’s too late? Philip begins to doubt Belle’s fidelity.

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