Question 494568: translate the sentence to an algebraic inequality.
the score on a test was greater than 80
Answer by solver91311(24713)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let  represent "the score on a test." Then:
Which, technically speaking, translates to "The score on a test is greater than 80." Of course the past tense "was" is still valid presuming that the statement is limited by the point in time when the given iteration of the test was completed. In fact, the tense of the verb "is" in a mathematical statement is, for all practical purposes, impossible to indicate with standard mathmatical symbols. That is because if the score on a test IS greater than 80, it was greater than 80 going back to the moment that the test was completed, and will forevermore remain greater than 80, then there is no purpose for symbology that tells you something that does not now and never will make any difference.
This discussion has raised an interesting metaphysical question: There is a period of time between the precise moment when a student submits a test to be scored and when the scoring is complete and the result revealed during which the student no longer has any control of the outcome (s/he might not have had any control anyway, but that is another story altogether). During this time, the score is what it will be -- or is it? Does the "score" exist before it is revealed to the instructor/proctor/TA or to the student himself/herself for that matter? Just something to think about for a change when the concept of the sound of one hand clapping starts to give you a headache.
John
My calculator said it, I believe it, that settles it
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