There’s been a lot of people talking recently about how The O2’s for sale. Here’s what’s really happening.
So, The O2’s for sale and Trinity College (part of Cambridge University) is going to buy it and turn the arena into a big 20,000 seater classroom to teach complex algebra. Altogether now, solve the following equation: 5x-(3x-1)=x-4. Show your working.
Alright, I’ll be honest – that’s not what the sale is about. But judging by the amount of people happy to write big stories about it this week, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was. It’s actually a complex part of real estate negotiations that makes absolutely zero difference to the running of The O2. So if, like me, you’ve got tickets to Ben Hur later on in the year (many other fine The O2 shows are available) then you don’t need to worry about the shows secretly turning into maths lessons.
Oh, and in case you were wondering, no I don’t know the answer to that question! It’s taken from Tutorvista but I don’t actually understand the answer – if you’re a maths wiz, post your answer below and I’ll add you to this post if I understand what you’re saying!
5x-(3x-1)=x-4
X = -5. Thank you Wolfram Alpha!
Posted by: Andrew Robinson | 07 August 2009 at 01:10 PM
x = -3
...just put like terms on the proper side of the equation and then simplify!
Posted by: shaun | 07 August 2009 at 01:11 PM
5x-(3x-1)=x-4
First, multiply out the bracket by -1.
5x-3x+1=x-4
Now group xs on one side and numbers on the other (ie -x on both sides and -1 on both sides)
5x-3x-x=-4-1
Simplify.
x=-5
Posted by: Harry Matthews | 07 August 2009 at 01:12 PM
If 5x-(3x-1)=x-4, then:
add 4 to both sides:
5x - (3x - 1) + 4 = x
Expand the (3x - 1) and remember because there's a minus outside the brackets that'll become MINUS 2x PLUS 1
5x - 3x + 1 + 4 = x
Simplify (5 lots of x minus 3 lots of x = 2x; 1+4=5)
2x + 5 = x
Subtract 5 from each side of the equation:
2x = x - 5
Subtract 'x' from each side:
So x = -5
Posted by: budgie | 07 August 2009 at 01:15 PM
That'd be...
5x-(3x-1)=x-4
5x-3x+1=x-4
2x+1=x-4
2x-x=-4-1
x=-5
Posted by: Alasdair Allan | 07 August 2009 at 01:18 PM
Friday afternoon maths fun!
5x - (3x - 1)= x - 4
Rewrite brackets to make it a bit easier to see what's happening:
(5x - 3x) + 1 = x - 4
gives:
2x + 1 = x - 4
Subtract x from both sides:
x + 1 = -4
Subtract 1 from both sides:
x = -5
Test in original equation:
5x - (3x - 1)= x - 4
(5*-5)-((3*-5)-1)=(-5)-4
(-25)-((-15)-1))=(-5)-4
(-25) - (-16) = -9
-25 + 16 = -9
-9 = -9
Posted by: Chris W | 07 August 2009 at 01:23 PM
I've managed to simplify x to equal -3 or -5. Can't figure out why either is wrong though. Time to go back to school
Posted by: Phil | 07 August 2009 at 01:27 PM
I really hope they aren't teaching maths as basic as that at Cambridge! If they are, our engineering industry is in massive trouble!
Posted by: Simon | 07 August 2009 at 02:10 PM