Right Answer, Wrong Reason
January 6, 2011 at 3:00 am Leave a comment
Of course, everyone knows that many fractions can be reduced by cancelling:
16/64 = 1/4
(cancel the 6’s)19/95 = 1/5
(cancel the 9’s)266/665 = 2/5
(cancel the 6’s)
But all of those are examples of getting the right answer for the wrong reason. Sort of like the third patient in this joke…
The doctor at a mental hospital is testing three of his patients to determine if they are ready to be released. He asks the first guy, “What is 3 × 3?”
“274,” says the first guy.
The doctor asks the second guy, “What is 3 × 3?”
“Tuesday,” replies the second guy.
The doctor turns to the third guy. “Okay, your turn. What is 3 × 3?”
“Nine,” says the third guy proudly.
“That’s great!” says the doctor. “How did you get your answer?”
“Simple,” says the third guy. “I subtracted 274 from Tuesday.”
Entry filed under: Uncategorized. Tags: cancel, fraction, patient.
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