Mathemagical understanding

[andrewducker]

I'm wondering about the level of mathematical understanding on my friends list.

Go here and check out both the magical puzzle and my explanation.

Then come back here and tell me if my explanation made sense to you.

[Poll #943968]

Comments

[blackmanxy.livejournal.com]

This, incidentally, describes my entire career in math throughout school. That is, I can almost always get the right answer, but I frequently can't show you how I got there. Needless to say, I didn't do well in the "show your work"-oriented grading system I was subjected to all those years.

[moniqueleigh]

Heh. Same here. My Algebra II teacher hated me for that very reason. I always had the right answers, but my work was always goofy -- I'd get the answer, and then try to solve backwards for the "show your work" portion. It never failed, but I'd write something backwards, or take the long way 'round to get there, or something else completely idiotic. (Generally, something that would have me kicking myself over later.)