Think logically.
Since I’ve been interacting with loading languages professionally, I always felt a need to be resourceful in numbers as well, especially in training my brain to adapt itself to the algebraic way of thinking. The world of algebra is logic itself just like other programming languages. So, let’s dive into it!
Hi International friends. Lately, I’ve got a new tablet: Galaxy Tab S8 +. One of the most anticipated devices I always wanted to get, and thanks to the black Friday deal, I bought it in a heartbeat (I’ll definitely review the device, and will write how I actually use the device from a programmer’s point of view).
And one of the major reasons why I got the device is simply because of my undeniable need to interact with the algebra world. Because the device is always on standby mode whenever I want to use it, unlike PCs that require me to log in, which is a little frustrating…
Anyways, recently, I started to learn basic algebra from scratch all over again, and just like I did with the C language and Linux programming, I will share my daily e-learning activities on this blog.
When it comes to algebra, I’ll only share what I’m most interested in as well as those which are beneficial to everyone else to solve real-life problems.
Here, the first post on algebra will be about consecutive numbers, and how we can solve a problem with an algebraic way of thinking.5
What are consecutive integers?
Consecutive integers are whole numbers that follow each other without gaps. For example, 1,2,3 are very much consecutive integer. With that in mind, let’s take a look at this challenge.
Q: There are three consecutive integers. The sum of the first two integers is 10 more than the third one. What is the third integer?
Solution: what is fascinating about algebra is the undeniable fact that everything in this world has to be logically coherent. And this is a great way to train our brains to think logically and mathematically, improving our real-world-problem-solving skills remarkably. So, let’s dive into it!
When you have a few hints, use x as a variable for unknown integers. Here, since we’re challenged to use consecutive integers, think like this:
Logical thinking
First integer: x
Second integer: x + 1
Third integer: x + 2
From here, let’s start calculating!
First and second integers:
x + x + 1 -> 2x + 1
Third integer:
The sum of the first two integers is 10 more than the third one.
x + 2 + 10 -> x + 12
Equation
2x + 1 = x + 12
2x – x = 12 – 1
x = 11
The answer
So, the third integer is…
x + 2
11 + 2 = 13
Answer: 13
Afterthoughts
Just like other programming languages, such as Java or C, algebra very much is a language. As we’ve explored a part of it by using consecutive integers as an example, the way of thinking itself is solely logical and makes sense. Just like solving a puzzle, what we did was plug what we had on our hands into a logical formula by taking advantage of variables, such as x, and making use of them as an actual logical language.
I’ve been uploading C-language and Linux programming journeys, here, this algebraic journey is going to be another installment in my blogging activity. Hope you’ll enjoy this journey to satisfy our relentless curiosity to discover the truth.
Peace!