Number Theory and Algebra Summary

Thursday, July 11, 2002

Mixture problems were on the menu for today. We first looked at mixing two different-cost nuts and then found the requirements to get integer values for the amounts of each we would use. Although it first appeared to relate our problem of solving linear systems, because of the particular requirements of the problem, we had to look at the algebra much more closely (costs can't be negative, nor can masses, and their relationships must be maintained).

After much struggle, a solution was gained! We then found that this solution also translated into the usual problems of concentration. The remainder, about 20 minutes, quickly grew into an hour as we ran into break revising our handouts for our presentation.

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