Algebra question

[Mandala]

I did a aptitude test at work that you need to pass to qualify for a office job

Proctor advised against wasting time so just guess if you are stuck

I just guessed at this question but it has remained in my mind

I knew it was algebra equation but it has been a while

"If workers pack 6 eggs per carton, they use 4 fewer cartons than if they pack 4 eggs per carton. How many eggs are there?"

 

[Ponderling]

Say you pack a dozen eggs- so 2x6 packers, or 3x4 packers.
So one more 4 packer than 6 packer per dozen eggs.
So for a spread of 4 overall, there must be 4 dozen, or 48 eggs, by the way I reasoned it.

 

[Zoot Allures]

Good thinking ponderling but how much time did it take for you to figure it out ?

Ah yes, beginner algebra this takes me back

Let x be something in this case either number of 6 egg or 4 egg cartons either will work

let x = number of 6 egg cartons

as 4 egg carton uses 4 more cartons then 6 egg carton the number of 4 egg cartons is x +4

6x= 4(x+4)

6x=4x+16

6x-4x=16

2x=16

x=8

but x is the number of 6 egg cartons not number of eggs

so 6x8 = number of eggs which is 48

without basic algebra question is solvable but takes too much time with algebra it you can do it in your head in 30 seconds but it took longer than 30 seconds as I had to recall basic algebra


rule is no longer than a minute then take your best guess and move on


just change things up to practise


Eggs are packed into 8-egg cartons, which uses 2 fewer cartons than packing them into 6-egg cartons. How many eggs are there?

answer follows

 

[Zoot Allures]

Let x = number of 8-egg cartons
6-egg cartons = x+2 (because they need 2 more cartons)


8x= 6(x+2)

8x = 6x + 12

2x = 12

x = 6

Total eggs = 8 × 6 = 48 eggs

 

[MissCroft]

I had a dream last night that I was trying to solve an algebra equation. And now I see this - weird!!

 

[Zoot Allures]

I had a dream last night that I was trying to solve an algebra equation. And now I see this - weird!!

Did it have eggs in it?

 

[MissCroft]

I had a dream last night that I was trying to solve an algebra equation. And now I see this - weird!!

LOL! No....

 

[companionosiris]

FIRST AND FOREMOST: HOW MANY CHICKENS ARE THERE!?!?

How many workers?
Brown eggs or white eggs?
24 - I can't show you my work

 

[companionosiris]

Are the workers TFW/LMIA's? Then you're going to need way more eggs and way more cartons than you can possible imagine.

 

[Ceiling Cat]

48

 

[Endurance2024]

Multiplied the 6 eggs by 4 eggs and got 24 which is a difference of two cartons. Do this again and we get 48 eggs and a 4 carton difference

 

[xix]

When you get the job ask what the answer is.

 

[Valcazar]

Good thinking ponderling but how much time did it take for you to figure it out ?

[...]

without basic algebra question is solvable but takes too much time with algebra it you can do it in your head in 30 seconds but it took longer than 30 seconds as I had to recall basic algebra

rule is no longer than a minute then take your best guess and move on

His method should be quite fast.
You don't need algebra to tackle this if you have number sense in other ways.
No formal written equation necessary with his approach. Just the insight that every two 6-egg cartons gives one extra 4-egg carton.

just change things up to practise


Eggs are packed into 8-egg cartons, which uses 2 fewer cartons than packing them into 6-egg cartons. How many eggs are there?

answer follows

You can do that with the same quickie logic.
Since it is a two egg difference, three 8-egg cartons give you one extra 6-egg carton (3:4 ratio).
You said there were 2 fewer, so it is 6 8-egg cartons.
48 eggs.

 

[fall]

I did a aptitude test at work that you need to pass to qualify for a office job

Proctor advised against wasting time so just guess if you are stuck

I just guessed at this question but it has remained in my mind

I knew it was algebra equation but it has been a while

"If workers pack 6 eggs per carton, they use 4 fewer cartons than if they pack 4 eggs per carton. How many eggs are there?"

So, the requirement for the office job is the 6th grade math. And let me guess, they also want a University degree along with it.

 

[Zoot Allures]

His method should be quite fast.
You don't need algebra to tackle this if you have number sense in other ways.
No formal written equation necessary with his approach. Just the insight that every two 6-egg cartons gives one extra 4-egg carton.



You can do that with the same quickie logic.
Since it is a two egg difference, three 8-egg cartons give you one extra 6-egg carton (3:4 ratio).
You said there were 2 fewer, so it is 6 8-egg cartons.
48 eggs.

You are correct. Some of the math questions in a SAT, for example, you need math knowledge some are so easy you do not

It is the easy ones that help you understand beginner algebra equations, which is what i did

 

[Ponderling]

The quick way I used is to look at the least common evenly divisible number. I could have said 12, but called it a dozen since we were talking about eggs
It may have a fancier correct math term.
But it usually leads to a short iterative ( fancy word for try one to spot the diffence , then see how many more to get to the answer) kind of answer you can do in your head.