Are you smarter than a 12th grader?

How much did you overpay for your spontaneously purchased can of Widget?

  • 50%

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • 66%

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • 100%

    Votes: 2 22.2%

  • 150%

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • 200%

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • 400%

    Votes: 4 44.4%

  • other (explain)

    Votes: 3 33.3%
  • Total voters
    9
Wayne

Wayne

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Situation:

You're running late for work this morning. You stop for gas at a convenience store when you remember that you need something. Running into the store, you pick up a ubiquitous Widget.

Later you realize that you paid twice as much as normal for half as much product as you would normally get from a regular store.
Click to expand...

Here's where most American high-school graduates today fail.. Are you smarter than a 12th grader?
 
400% is correct answer, and the store name is ObamaMart
 
I'm not even sure what a 12th grader is, so I guess not.

:missing:
 
No punchline here folks, just an honest "makes you think" question.

People always tell kids they'll never use statistics and calculus in real life. Looked like a good example, and one that most high school seniors (aka 12th graders) fail on the so-called standardized tests.
 
Beats being asked -- by someone who should know better -- what a "widget" is.. :)
 
Wayne said:
No punchline here folks, just an honest "makes you think" question.

People always tell kids they'll never use statistics and calculus in real life. Looked like a good example, and one that most high school seniors (aka 12th graders) fail on the so-called standardized tests.
Click to expand...

Will you confirm the answer is other and not 400%? Overpay would imply asking the difference between the normal price and what you paid, not a flat markup.
 
redrumloa said:
Will you confirm the answer is other and not 400%? Overpay would imply asking the difference between the normal price and what you paid, not a flat markup.
Click to expand...
Jim, I know on a forum it's really difficult not to get tied up in pedantics, but it's really not designed to be a trick question.

If you paid twice as much as you normally would for half the product you'd normally receive at that price, how much (by percentage) did you overpay?

In a more real-world example:

You stopped by the convenience store on your way home because it was raining outside and a lot easier than dealing with WalMart. You bought a half-gallon of milk for $6.00 when -- at Walmart -- the price is normally $3.00 for a full gallon. How much, by way of percentage, did you overpay?

Occam's Razor applies. I know the answer, and it really is the simplest without getting bogged down in "depends on what your definition of is, is". The point being to make you think about not only the answer, but the fact that most High School seniors would fail because they don't even understand basic math.

... and like the super computer in Willy Wonka... "I won't tell.. That would be cheating.." :)
 
redrumloa said:
Will you confirm the answer is other and not 400%? Overpay would imply asking the difference between the normal price and what you paid, not a flat markup.
Click to expand...
I'll bring the shovel if you bring the guns and ammo. I'm ready to dig in and defend this position. :)
 
2= 0.5 x
x= 4

Wayne, you should have a "hide spoiler" option for posts
 
FluffyMcDeath said:
You got 1/4 of what you paid for and you overpaid for another 3/4. That's an over payment of "* other (explain)".
Click to expand...

"opportunity cost"
you got 100% of what you paid for, because you wanted it now not later!

There is no overpayment, because the selling price for the transaction was set by this store, and you were the willing buyer, however it was available at a discount at the big box widget warehouse, if you were willing to drive across town and purchase a box of 4. But nooooo, you had to have it now ....
 
metalman said:
"opportunity cost"
you got 100% of what you paid for, because you wanted it now not later!
Click to expand...
Aha
So now it's not an algebra question any more. But it's not all opportunity cost. There could be fraud involved if the packaging made it look as though it was the normal amount. You might have been willing to pay twice as much, but thought you were getting the full amount.
The store would argue against this. Perhaps all we can really say is that the store charges a rather hefty "not paying attention" fee. At what percentage is the "not paying attention" fee charged?
 
Sigh. Pedantics. It's why the world is failing... :)
 
Wayne said:
Sigh. Pedantics. It's why the world is failing... :)
Click to expand...

<pedantry>
The world is doing just fine. Don't you mean it's the prosperity of the majority of people that is failing?
</pedantry>

(Sorry :D)
 
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