Evidence for God from Science

Alright, for all you math geeks. I was helping my son with his math homework, and this was one of his problems. I thought it was simple enough. Use the Pythagorean theorem, to find the answer, right? Apparently not. Teacher and answer book said I was wrong. Please show me why I'm wrong. Here it is.

Estimate the length of a square table with a diagonal length of √119 feet to the nearest whole number.

One would think the Pythagorean Theorem would work. I help my younger brothers and always get bothered by the "estimate the answer" problems because they have some weird way of coming with with the "right" estimates. Does the book or teacher give some different way of estimating these answers? Because otherwise, to me, I would think your line of thought is fine.

Ivellious wrote:One would think the Pythagorean Theorem would work. I help my younger brothers and always get bothered by the "estimate the answer" problems because they have some weird way of coming with with the "right" estimates. Does the book or teacher give some different way of estimating these answers? Because otherwise, to me, I would think your line of thought is fine.

No, the book just gives the answer as "11". Now, the diagonal of the square table, √119, is 11, when rounded to the nearest whole number. But, the problem is looking for the length of a side of the square, which is 8, when rounded to the nearest whole number.

I would have your kid ask for an explanation from the teacher on that one, because unless I'm just totally reading that wrong, the book has an error in it.

Ivellious wrote:I would have your kid ask for an explanation from the teacher on that one, because unless I'm just totally reading that wrong, the book has an error in it.

He's going to ask the teacher tomorrow. I can't see what I'm missing. I posted the question exactly like his book says. And, the whole chapter is on the Pythagorean theorem.

Well, math textbooks do tend to have occasional errors or typos in them. And if it's only one problem, I wouldn't worry too much. Let me know what he finds out, because I'm gonna feel stupid until I find out how to get that answer haha.

Ivellious wrote:Well, math textbooks do tend to have occasional errors or typos in them. And if it's only one problem, I wouldn't worry too much. Let me know what he finds out, because I'm gonna feel stupid until I find out how to get that answer haha.

I'm going to feel stupid, as well, because I told my son that I'm 100% sure I'm right.

If I hear tomorrow, I'll post the answer.

The book is wrong, you are right. It is that simple.

The book had the wrong answer. I'm so happy that I'm able to do 7th grade math.

you were nervous there for a moment huh Rick? probably thinking i know i got the answer right....i hope i got it right...please let it be right lol

Zionist wrote:you were nervous there for a moment huh Rick? probably thinking i know i got the answer right....i hope i got it right...please let it be right lol

Actually, I had complete confidence that I had the correct answer. After my son told me that the teacher said my answer was wrong, I did the problem a few more times, just to make sure. it was as simple as 2x2= 16.

lol

RickD wrote:

Zionist wrote:you were nervous there for a moment huh Rick? probably thinking i know i got the answer right....i hope i got it right...please let it be right lol

Actually, I had complete confidence that I had the correct answer. After my son told me that the teacher said my answer was wrong, I did the problem a few more times, just to make sure. it was as simple as 2x2= 16.

You must be a relativist.

Byblos wrote:

RickD wrote:

Zionist wrote:you were nervous there for a moment huh Rick? probably thinking i know i got the answer right....i hope i got it right...please let it be right lol

Actually, I had complete confidence that I had the correct answer. After my son told me that the teacher said my answer was wrong, I did the problem a few more times, just to make sure. it was as simple as 2x2= 16.

You must be a relativist.

Sure. The concept of math itself is relative. My 2x2=16, may be your 2x2=4.