Mr. Simmons' Most Excellent Monkey Problem

**AggieDad** · 06-03-2017, 08:32 AM

Originally posted by FilmORbitz

Could I instead do the one where one train leaves Chicago eastbound at 40mph, while a second leaves NYC westbound at an unknown time and velocity. They cross paths in Akron. Which train has the most passengers? Show your work

I saw this tongue-in-cheek post from FilmORbitz that was in another thread in another section of the forum. It made me think about a problem I would give my 7th & 8th grade Algebra I students every year at the beginning of the second semester. It was sort of a renowned (or perhaps infamous) piece of lore on campus and every year the kiddos looked forward to (or dreaded) its annual January appearance.

So I present Mr. Simmons' Most Excellent Monkey Problem to you here for your enjoyment. Remember, this is math and all work is in pencil. Have fun!

ALGEBRA PROBLEM
January, 20XX

Mr. Simmons’ Most Excellent Monkey Problem

As with all of our problems, please include a complete discussion that includes your solution strategy, your work, and the check to confirm your correct answer.

A rope is placed over the top of a fence, the same amount of rope on both sides of the fence. The rope weighs one-third pound per foot.

On one end of the rope hangs a monkey holding a banana, and on the other end is a weight equal in weight to the weight of the monkey.

The banana weighs two ounces per inch. The length of the rope (in feet) is equal to the age of the monkey (in years), and the weight of the monkey (in ounces) is as much as the age of the monkey’s mother (in years). The combined ages of the monkey and its mother are thirty years.

The weight of the banana plus half of the weight of the monkey is one-fourth as much as the sum of the weights of the weight and the rope, where all weights are in the same units.

The monkey’s mother is half as old as the monkey will be when it is three times as old as its mother was when she was half as old as the monkey will be when it is twice as old as it is now.

How long is the banana?

bertwert · 06-03-2017, 08:52 AM

I'm going to give this a try, when I have time, later today.

bertwert · 06-03-2017, 09:18 AM

Actually I decided to solve it now, took 20 minutes and I think I have the answer; I'll send it in a PM so others can have fun solving.

**AggieDad** · 06-03-2017, 09:21 AM

I'll look for the PM

Don

35mmfilmfan · 06-03-2017, 10:33 AM - **1 Like**

Sorry - I ate the banana

Parallax · 06-03-2017, 10:40 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by bertwert

I'm going to give this a try, when I have time, later today.

I'm going to take two aspirins and try to forget that I read the problem.

**Canada_Rockies** · 06-03-2017, 01:04 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Parallax

I'm going to take two aspirins and try to forget that I read the problem.

I'm on your side.

**AggieDad** · 06-03-2017, 01:30 PM

Originally posted by Parallax

I'm going to take two aspirins and try to forget that I read the problem.

Originally posted by Canada_Rockies

I'm on your side.

Com'on guys. This was a problem for 7th graders.

Parallax · 06-03-2017, 01:32 PM - **4 Likes**

Originally posted by AggieDad

Com'on guys. This was a problem for 7th graders.

Well there ya go! We're not in the 7th grade.

robert52 · 06-04-2017, 12:10 AM - **1 Like**

But as Monty Python would ask are the bananas Cavendish or lady fingers?

06-03-2017, 08:32 AM	#1
AggieDad Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Houston, TX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,453	Mr. Simmons' Most Excellent Monkey Problem Originally posted by FilmORbitz Could I instead do the one where one train leaves Chicago eastbound at 40mph, while a second leaves NYC westbound at an unknown time and velocity. They cross paths in Akron. Which train has the most passengers? Show your work I saw this tongue-in-cheek post from FilmORbitz that was in another thread in another section of the forum. It made me think about a problem I would give my 7th & 8th grade Algebra I students every year at the beginning of the second semester. It was sort of a renowned (or perhaps infamous) piece of lore on campus and every year the kiddos looked forward to (or dreaded) its annual January appearance. So I present Mr. Simmons' Most Excellent Monkey Problem to you here for your enjoyment. Remember, this is math and all work is in pencil. Have fun! ALGEBRA PROBLEM January, 20XX Mr. Simmons’ Most Excellent Monkey Problem As with all of our problems, please include a complete discussion that includes your solution strategy, your work, and the check to confirm your correct answer. A rope is placed over the top of a fence, the same amount of rope on both sides of the fence. The rope weighs one-third pound per foot. On one end of the rope hangs a monkey holding a banana, and on the other end is a weight equal in weight to the weight of the monkey. The banana weighs two ounces per inch. The length of the rope (in feet) is equal to the age of the monkey (in years), and the weight of the monkey (in ounces) is as much as the age of the monkey’s mother (in years). The combined ages of the monkey and its mother are thirty years. The weight of the banana plus half of the weight of the monkey is one-fourth as much as the sum of the weights of the weight and the rope, where all weights are in the same units. The monkey’s mother is half as old as the monkey will be when it is three times as old as its mother was when she was half as old as the monkey will be when it is twice as old as it is now. How long is the banana?

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06-03-2017, 08:52 AM	#2
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173	I'm going to give this a try, when I have time, later today.

06-03-2017, 09:18 AM	#3
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173	Actually I decided to solve it now, took 20 minutes and I think I have the answer; I'll send it in a PM so others can have fun solving.

06-03-2017, 09:21 AM	#4
AggieDad Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Houston, TX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,453 Original Poster	I'll look for the PM Don

06-03-2017, 10:33 AM - 1 Like	#5
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,327	Sorry - I ate the banana

06-03-2017, 10:40 AM - 1 Like	#6
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,332	Originally posted by bertwert I'm going to give this a try, when I have time, later today. I'm going to take two aspirins and try to forget that I read the problem.

06-03-2017, 01:04 PM - 2 Likes	#7
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Originally posted by Parallax I'm going to take two aspirins and try to forget that I read the problem. I'm on your side.

06-03-2017, 01:30 PM	#8
AggieDad Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Houston, TX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,453 Original Poster	Originally posted by Parallax I'm going to take two aspirins and try to forget that I read the problem. Originally posted by Canada_Rockies I'm on your side. Com'on guys. This was a problem for 7th graders.

06-03-2017, 01:32 PM - 4 Likes	#9
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,332	Originally posted by AggieDad Com'on guys. This was a problem for 7th graders. Well there ya go! We're not in the 7th grade.

06-04-2017, 12:10 AM - 1 Like	#10
robert52 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: At the pimple of bum of life Posts: 264	But as Monty Python would ask are the bananas Cavendish or lady fingers?