Math problem

[UALfurloughee]

24+30 = 54
23.5+30.5 = 54

Why is this true, when the difference between the two numbers in the problem is different? 30-24 = 6, while 30.5-23.5 =7. This isn't a trick question, I really don't know why?

Thanks!

 

[skywaypil0t]

9+1=10
5+5=10
9-1=8 and 5-5=0. It has nothing to do with the difference between the numbers.

 

[AdlerDriver]

24+30 = 54
23.5+30.5 = 54

Why is this true, when the difference between the two numbers in the problem is different? 30-24 = 6, while 30.5-23.5 =7. This isn't a trick question, I really don't know why?

Thanks!

I think it's for the same reason that:

60+40=100 and 70+30=100
The difference between the two sets of numbers is 20 & 40. The sum of two numbers does not have a correlation to their difference.

Not claiming much expertise here, just trying to help.

 

[CalifDan]

Sometimes it is difficult to believe these posts. Not only the original question, but anyone who trys to explain the answer. Let me know when United recalls you and I'll make sure I stay off the airline. If you can post when you are actually in the air and where, I'll avoid those times and positions also.

 

[aviatorbeast]

For a more visual depiction, picture the numbers 24 and 30 as points on a number line. When you add these numbers together, what you are doing is adding both of their distances from zero. Since the number 24 is 24 units from zero and 30 is 30 units from zero, you are simply adding the distance 24 and 30 to get 54. When you subtract two numbers, you are finding the distance between the two points on the number line. When subtracting 24 from 30 (pronounced in that order), you start at 24 and move 6 units to the right (positive direction), resulting in a distance of positive six. If it were the other way around, subtracting 30 from 24, you would be starting at 30 and moving to the left (negative direction) resulting in a distance of -6. As you can see, finding the distance between two points (subtracting) and adding the distance from zero of two points (addition) are not directly related, so there really is no correlation between the two.

 

[PURPLEHAZE21]

Is that how they calculate your pension at United ? Oh wait...zero from zero = zero

 

[Say Again Over]

Ouch!

 

[Pantherpilot]

You are asking two questions which really are virtually the same (24+30=54) and (23.5+30.5=54). This is true because the are really the same numbers (when being subtracted) in disguise. First, think of how you get the number 23.5, when you start with 24 (You have to subtract 1/2 or 0.5). Next, think of how get the number 30.5, when you start with 30 (You have to add 1/2 or 0.5). So, in the first instance (24 to 23.5) you have subtracted 0.5, and the second instance (30 to 30.5) you have added 0.5. The net total (0.5-0.5) is Zero. Therefore, as you can see its just like adding 24 and 30, it will always give you 50, likewise adding 23.5 and 30.5 will give you the same. On another note, when you mark these points on a number line-you will see that the distance between 23.5 and 30.5 is 7 units, and the distance between 24 and 30 is six units. This is simply because you are measuring an absolute distance between two points, and not subtracting them. Anytime you move left on a number graph(where positive numbers go to the right) you will be subtracting, but the number graph can only show displacement relative to a predetermined point, so even though there is greater displacement (distance between the two points) this does not mean the sum quantity has increased. Remember when performing a math operation like subtraction there is a net loss,and moving in the left direction on a numberline would represent a net loss or subtraction. Ex. If I have 23.5 apples, the half apple missing does not exist, but the number line will represent this 0.5 apple missing as a 0.5 displacement in the left direction. God I hope all this makes sense, because I am thoroughly confused now.