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Windy: On the contrary. Do you have any idea how important algebra is? It is one of the most useful concepts in mathematics. It comes handy in day-to-day life like nothing else does. Fluppy: Like what? Cliparti: For example you wish to calculate the price of five dozen mangoes if you know the price of one dozen, or 10 chocolates if you know the price of one. Fluppy: I don’t think that interests me. I can always ask the shopkeeper what the price would be. Cliparti: And what if he lies? Fluppy: He wouldn’t. And if he does I would bang his head. Cliparti: All this is nonsense. Windy: No point arguing with him, Cliparti. I know how to get things across him. Fluppy: Oh, really? Go ahead and convince me, and I promise I’ll study it with all my heart if I really think it is worth it. Windy: Fine. Okay, now Fluppy, I ask you a puzzle. You just take any calendar and choose any four days that form a square. Now you tell me the sum of these four days and I will tell you what your chosen numbers were. Fluppy: Wow! What is this? I thought we were discussing..ukk.. algebra! I guess you’ve dropped the idea of convincing me. Anyways, good for me! Windy: Fluppy, I am waiting for you to tell me those four numbers. Fluppy: Okay, okay. Let me see, ummm, I select and tell you that their sum is 88. Now just by this you will tell me what those numbers are? Windy: Yes, provided those numbers are forming a square in the calendar. Fluppy: Yes, they are forming. Windy: I don’t trust you. Cliparti, can you please check to see if they really are forming a square? Cliparti: Fluppy, you can whisper the numbers in my ears. Fluppy: But you swear on God not to tell. Cliparti: Of course, I swear. Fluppy: Then you can see. Cliparti: It is okay, Windy they are forming a square and their sum is 88. Windy: Fine. Let me do some calculations. Do all the scribbling you want. You will never be able to tell the numbers, as there must be hundreds of combinations whose sum would be 88. Windy: Your chosen numbers are 18, 19, 25 and 26. Cliparti: Wow! Hey Fluppy, what has got unto you? Say something, don’t just stare. Fluppy: I can’t believe it. How did you do that? I am sure it is magic. Windy, please teach me this magic. Even I would impress my friends with it. Windy: No, Fluppy it is quite difficult for you. Fluppy: How can it be difficult? You took just two seconds to find the numbers. I am sure I can learn too. Windy: No Fluppy, only you said you find it difficult. Fluppy: When did I say that? Hey Cliparti, did you hear me tell him so? Cliparti: I can’t remember properly, but come to think of it, I think you said it. Fluppy: Hey what has got unto you two? I never said that. And even if you guys heard me say so, I take my words back and request you to teach me this. I swear I won’t find it tough. Windy: You promise? Fluppy: Of course I do. Okay, if you insist. For your kindest information, it was done in two seconds with the help of algebra. Fluppy: What? Algebra? Windy: Yes. Now you see the wonderful uses of algebra? I just assumed the first number to be n, the next one automatically being n+1, the next as n+7 and the last as n+8. Since I know their sum is 88, I found 4n=88, so n naturally comes to 18. There by I found the rest of the numbers. Fluppy: Wow, this all sounds so simple. But you really need to know algebra real well. Windy: That is true. But don’t worry; learn this and more with Cynthia. You can find her at http ://math.rice.edu/~lanius/lessons/calen.html. And then you will find what fun can algebra be. Fluppy: I agree with you, algebra can be real fun. Finally, I can see one point why I should learn algebra! — Ira Verma |
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