Ask Me Any Maths Questions

[PythonPower]

Title explains it all. Any level; any topic.

Obviously though I won't do homework questions and I may be a bit relaxed with rigor in my proofs! And I may not be able to do some of course.

[MathX]

Are other questions allowed?

[Jordan]

Are you going to cheat and use a calculator?

[PythonPower]

Are other questions allowed?

Sure, why not.

Are you going to cheat and use a calculator?

Yes; but hopefully the interesting parts won't be arithmetic. Questions that computers can do are way too boring.

[Jordan]

Do you love math?

[MathX]

Did u know how confused was I with Ur math question couse I really didn't understand that?

[Jordan]

Do you know what MathX means?

[PythonPower]

Did u know how confused was I with Ur math question couse I really didn't understand that?

Yes?

Do you know what MathX means?

Maybe?

[TALucas]

I have a math/programming puzzle....one that kept me busy for a few days. I have the solution, but judging by the question, I think you'll enjoy finding the answer. Here's the problem:

There was an old merchant who wanted to sell rice in pound bags from one pound to 40 pounds. (Whole numbers from 1-40) For example he might have one person buy a 3 pound bag of rice, and another buy a 33 pound bag of rice. He already has a 40 pound weight, and needs to divide it into 4 pieces....when finished he will have 4 weights that can weight out all weights between 1 and 40.

The question is.....how should he divide up this 40 pound weight....must be 4 pieces.

Example: lets say he divided the weight up this way(1, 2, 3, 34)

1...He could put a 1 pound bag of rice on one side of the scale, and a 1 pound weight on the other.

2...He could put a 2 pound bag of rice on one side and a 2 pound weight on the other.

3...He could put a 33 pound bag of rice combined with a 1 pound weight on one side, and a 34 pound weight on the other.

What 4 weights would allow him to calculate all weights from 1 - 40?

[Jordan]

Why didn't you answer my first question?