Long ago on independence square (Lexington: store, business, building)

[WCHS'59]

Can you solve this problem without looking on the internet?


Here is one from my eighth grade algebra class of 60 years ago at Independence Junior High. I cannot remember the ladies name who taught the class but I have always remembered this problem.

It was an overnight or over the weekend homework assignment. I dont believe the problem was in our algebra book. I think she got it from somewhere else.

A cork and bottle cost $1.10.

The bottle's price was $1.00 more than the cork.

How much did the cork cost?

We were supposed to use algebra to figure this one out but none of us used algebra and none of us got the right answer. We all thought we had the right answer by mentally coming up with the cork costing 10 cents.

[CaseyMO]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

Where does "Blue" come in?

Maybe this is where it comes in....
"Blue" - LeAnn Rimes (HQ Music Video) - YouTube

[CaseyMO]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

Can you solve this problem without looking on the internet?


Here is one from my eighth grade algebra class of 60 years ago at Independence Junior High. I cannot remember the ladies name who taught the class but I have always remembered this problem.

It was an overnight or over the weekend homework assignment. I dont believe the problem was in our algebra book. I think she got it from somewhere else.

A cork and bottle cost $1.10.

The bottle's price was $1.00 more than the cork.

How much did the cork cost?

We were supposed to use algebra to figure this one out but none of us used algebra and none of us got the right answer. We all thought we had the right answer by mentally coming up with the cork costing 10 cents.

Your last comment would mean that the 90 cents higher than the cork. The correct answer is... I'll have to compute it... assuming I even have the smarts to compute it.

[CrownVic95]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

Can you solve this problem without looking on the internet?


Here is one from my eighth grade algebra class of 60 years ago at Independence Junior High. I cannot remember the ladies name who taught the class but I have always remembered this problem.

It was an overnight or over the weekend homework assignment. I dont believe the problem was in our algebra book. I think she got it from somewhere else.

A cork and bottle cost $1.10.

The bottle's price was $1.00 more than the cork.

How much did the cork cost?

We were supposed to use algebra to figure this one out but none of us used algebra and none of us got the right answer. We all thought we had the right answer by mentally coming up with the cork costing 10 cents.

X+(X+1.00)=1.10
2X+1.00=1.10
2X=.10
X=.05

Cork - .05
Bottle - 1.05

[CaseyMO]

Originally Posted by CaseyMO

Your last comment would mean that the 90 cents higher than the cork. The correct answer is... I'll have to compute it... assuming I even have the smarts to compute it.

Cork cost 5 cents. The bottle cost #1.05 or $1.10 total.

[CaseyMO]

I did not use the formula. I just thought it though. CrownVic wins by a whisker. Rats!

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by CaseyMO

Maybe this is where it comes in....
"Blue" - LeAnn Rimes (HQ Music Video) - YouTube

Well no, but now that I think of it he may have been referring to Blue Road, which later became Spring Branch and Truman Road.

I thought he was referring to the color rather than a name, chuckle.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by CrownVic95

X+(X+1.00)=1.10
2X+1.00=1.10
2X=.10
X=.05

Cork - .05
Bottle - 1.05

chuckle. We were a bunch of 13 year old's and "knew" the answer was ten cents for the cork without trying to prove it even with simple math.

Everyone I have ever pulled this one on, if I dont mention ten cents, all come up with ten cents when the answer is five cents for the cork and a buck five for the bottle.

[CrownVic95]

Originally Posted by CaseyMO

I did not use the formula. I just thought it though. CrownVic wins by a whisker. Rats!

I love puzzlers like that. Though it was 47 years ago, I had the top math SAT in my HS.

[CrownVic95]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

chuckle. We were a bunch of 13 year old's and "knew" the answer was ten cents for the cork without trying to prove it even with simple math.

Everyone I have ever pulled this one on, if I dont mention ten cents, all come up with ten cents when the answer is five cents for the cork and a buck five for the bottle.

I think that's everyone's first instinct before laying it out algebraically.