Expert: Chen Min - 2/16/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hello:

Here is an example calculation: (12/6)/4 X 10 = 2/4 X 10 = 20/4 = 5

Can the same calculation be solved if two of the numbers, 6 and 10, are missing?

(12/y)/4 X z = 5

Try to use a simple solution if possible.

I thank you for your reply.


incomplete calculation

ANSWER: You gave me an equation with two unknowns, y and z.

Generally, if the number of equations is less than the number of uncancellable unknowns involved, the set of equations do not have a unique solution, i.e. you cannot find a pair of y and z and say this pair is the only likely pair.

So the answer to your question is a "no".

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello:

I want to thank you for the reply.

If the y or z is replaced by a number, a solution can be found even though there are indefinite solutions for this calculation.

I thank you for your follow-up reply.

Answer
I don't quite understand your question.

If either y or z is replaced by a number, then there will be only one unknown (variable), and the equation will be solvable, and most likely has a single unique solution.

e.g. y replaced by 4, then (12/4)/4 X z = 5, z = 20/3

Also, without replacing anything, y can be expressed with z and vice versa.

Hope this helps.