2008-05-06T09:40:42Ztag:sursumcorda.salemsattic.com,2018:/isso/thread/post/sat-question-of-the-daytag:sursumcorda.salemsattic.com,2018:/isso/462/17442008-05-06T09:40:42ZSusumCorda<p>Today's question is an example of what I mean by questions being solved by common sense rather than higher math.</p> <p><em>In a class of 80 seniors, there are 3 boys for every 5 girls. In the junior class, there are 3 boys for every 2 girls. If the two classes combined have an equal number of boys and girls, how many students are in the junior class?</em></p> <p>If the numbers chosen had been different, this might have required the algebraic thinking they expect students to use. As it is, it requires no math beyond elementary arithmetic: There are obviously 30 boys and 50 girls in the senior class. If there are 30 boys and 20 girls in the junior, that makes a total of 60 boys and 70 girls -- not equal. Okay, how about 60 boys and 40 girls in the junior class? That makes a total of 90 boys and 90 girls -- bingo! Three quick, easy steps, no algebra needed, guessing encouraged. If the question were not so easy to guess at, it might indicate whether or not the student understands basic algebra. As it is, what is the purpose of such a question, and why is it labelled &quot;hard&quot;?</p>