15 replies to this topic

[-Alex-]

Hi all,

I'm interested in becoming a pilot and was just reading some information online at a pilot programme. They give a sample entrance exam, and on it is this question (question 9):

Quote

Calculate:
(2a+8b)(4a-2b)

Is this supposed to read (2a+8b)+(4a-2b)=0, or am I missing something?

I'm not looking for the answer to this question, rather, how to calculate it; for my own knowledge.

Thanks!

[XerXis]

(2a+8b)(4a-2b)=8a^2 - 4ab + 32ab - 16b^2=8a^2 + 28ab - 16b^2

probably just to see if you know your distribution rule

[abecedarian paradoxious]

It would be read as "(2a+9b)*(4a-2b)" with no absolute answer: you would be solving for one variable in terms of the other: as in "a=something b" or "b=something a"

Edited by abecedarian paradoxious, 22 November 2012 - 08:42.

[+Neo003]

-Alex-, on 22 November 2012 - 08:24, said:

Hi all,

I'm interested in becoming a pilot and was just reading some information online at a pilot programme. They give a sample entrance exam, and on it is this question (question 9):



Is this supposed to read (2a+8b)+(4a-2b)=0, or am I missing something?

I'm not looking for the answer to this question, rather, how to calculate it; for my own knowledge.

Thanks!

  6a-6b
a-b 

[Xahid]

-Alex-, on 22 November 2012 - 08:24, said:

Is this supposed to read (2a+8b)+(4a-2b)=0, or am I missing something?

No, I believe it means (2a+8b)x(4a-2b)=0
Since brackets () mean multiplication so its not necessary to use 'x' specifically.

[-Alex-]

I was going through the exam slowly, working out each answer in my head... I just decided to scroll through it fully, and saw that the answers are at the end. It says:

Quote

8a²+28ab-16b²

So XerXis was correct.

[+ozzy76]

FOIL (First Outside Inside Last)

this takes me back

[+GreenMartian]

Xahid, on 22 November 2012 - 08:37, said:

.. its not necessary to use 'x' specifically.

Exactly. The same way that everyone knows 2b means 2xb.
a(2b) = a times 2 times b.

[abecedarian paradoxious]

-Alex-, on 22 November 2012 - 08:43, said:

I was going through the exam slowly, working out each answer in my head... I just decided to scroll through it fully, and saw that the answers are at the end. It says:



So XerXis was correct.

Every time I had ?'s like that in school we had to solve for each variable.... Oh well, good thing I'm not a pilot.

[XerXis]

abecedarian paradoxious, on 22 November 2012 - 08:55, said:

Every time I had ?'s like that in school we had to solve for each variable.... Oh well, good thing I'm not a pilot.

That would be true if there was an equation, however it wasn't there. Also it's impossible to solve an equation with two variables. It wouldn't make any sense

[Axel]

I'm a pilot and as far as I can help with that question would be to interpret it as (2a+8b)*(4a-2b). Any further than that is fairly lost on me! I don't remember my entrance exams being like that!

[mercenary]

http://www.wolframal...b%29%284a-2b%29

That should help you understand

[nik louch]

Why is this ridiculously simple thing being posted again?

It's been solved and debated to death less than 3 months ago.

[-Alex-]

nik louch, on 22 November 2012 - 10:12, said:

Why is this ridiculously simple thing being posted again?

It's been solved and debated to death less than 3 months ago.

1) I didn't see the thread 3 months ago
2) Good luck searching the forums for a random equation
3) What's the big deal?

[+Xinok]

https://www.youtube....h?v=gg6vUnElXqo