"Parse Tree" <parsetree at hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:RYFZ8.8274$QY4.1373806 at news20.bellglobal.com...
> "John Knight" <johnknight at usa.com> wrote in message
> news:HGFZ8.7230$Fq6.531196 at news2.west.cox.net...> >
> > "Jet" <thatjetnospam at yahoo.com> wrote in message
> > news:3D364DCC.FD04A773 at yahoo.com...> > > > If they didn't have the wrong information, or didn't make an
error,
> > > > >then of the 30% who got it correct, 23% would have gotten it
correct
> > because
> > > > >they guessed, and only 7% would have gotten it correct because they
> > > > >understood the problem [ x = total guesses, 0.25x = correct guesses
> > 0.75x =
> > > > >wrong guesses = 70%, x = .93, 0.25x = .23 = correct guesses,
correct
> > total
> > > > >answers of 30% - 23% correct guesses = 7% (those who knew the
> > problem)].
> > > >
> > > > You cannot determine the percentage who guessed. You persist in
> > assuming
> > > > that everyone who got the answer wrong guessed randomly, and there
is
> no
> > > > evidence of this.
> > > >
> > >
> > > Let's look at his algebra. He states x = total guesses, and 0.25x =
> > > correct guesses 0.75 x= wrong guesses.
> > >
> > > He then figures that 0.75 x= 70%, and thus x = .93.
> > >
> > > BUT, if we figure .25 x= 30%, x=1.20. We have x with two different
> > > values!
> > >
> > > LOL.
> > >
> > > J
> >
> >
> > My, my, Jet, you're really working overtime to try to prove the point of
> > this thread, aren't you? Two stabs at it so far, and you're still off
by
> a
> > mile.
> >
> > Don't ask anybody for the answer, ok? This is a closed book quiz.
> Scout's
> > honor?
> >
> > John Knight
> >
> >
> >
> > ps--this "math problem" actually is about as simple as many of the TIMSS
> > questions where less than zero percent of American girls got the correct
> > answer, once adjusted for guesses. But then, Jet also claims that she
> never
> > guesses on multiple choice questions.
> > http://christianparty.net/timssphysics.htm>> Item G11:
> The water level in a small aquarium reaches up to a mark A. After a large
> ice cube is dropped into the water, the cube floats and the water level
> rises to a new mark B. What will happen to the water level as the ice
melts?
> Explain your reasoning.
>> I am actually curious as to what the answer to this question is. Will the
> volume of ice, which is greater than that of water offset the parts of the
> ice that are above water?
>>
You actually are? hmmm. Did you have touble finding the answer sheet?
Reason I'm asking is to see if all the links are working.
This was one of those questions where 4% of American girls answered
correctly, but since it wasn't a multiple choice question, it doesn't need
to be adjusted for guesses. But because the standard error was plus or
minus 3%, all we can say for sure is that 1% of American girls understood
the physics involved.
This wasn't a difficult problem for many people in other countries, like the
22% of Greek girls or the 30% of Swiss boys who got it right.
John Knight
ps--it will stay at mark B. The ice cube is the same mass frozen as it is
liquid.
pps--Are you going to help Jet out with her almost-math problem?
