AIBU to ask if anyone can solve this Maths question?

[Hydrangea444]

DD is doing Further Maths A-Level and is stuck on this question.

And there were only 2 of them.

It turns out I can integrate fine, just don't ask me to use Mumsnet.

@PurassicJark If someone asked me a point of law I'd ask my lawyer husband. I'm pretty sure I don't live in the 50s. I have a masters in educational psychology but that ain't going to help with a question outside my expertise. Plenty of women on here have had a go at this problem anyway. I don't see how deferring to someone else more knowledgeable who is also male is 'living in the 50s'.

I think it's fine to ask a man or a woman who would know, for example a further maths teacher. But offering up the opinion of a Y10 DS to help a Y13 DD who is about to sit A level further maths is not particularly helpful. (I suppose at least we all know he is doing calculus in Y10 so that's good.)

The most underrated comment on here but the best one at that.

This thread is brilliant.
I don't know much about maths but love how those solving it are commenting on each others answers and different ways to do it, and how some solutions are beautiful.

Thank you so much for this. It is really appreciated. 😊😀

No way would a GCSE student be able to answer a difficult further maths A level question! This stuff isn't in the GCSE syllabus so your DD wouldn't have covered it.

Same - but I was hoping it'd a be a primary school question (preferably infants) so I could swoop in and save the day!

Here you go @LindaEllen

Ok OP, I owe you an apology for the sarcasm. I stand by the fact that it’s a valid thing to say to suggest waiting til Monday and asking a teacher, but I should have said it without the sarcasm.

I’m glad you got some useful replies. I didn’t think you really would and I was wrong. Good luck to DD for her exams.

The answer's 42. It always is. (Sorry, just couldn't resist).
Actually, I'm in awe of anyone who has actually tackled this. All the best to your daughter for her exams.

Thank you all for good luck wishes. DD's first Further Maths exam is next week. There are four FM papers in total for her to do.

Thank you so much to your DH for this!

@eastegg
Just not quite sure why you felt the need to post though, seeing as you had nothing to contribute other than scorn You could have just rolled your eyes and moved onto the next thread.

DD has got some fantastic advice on a Maths problem that she was struggling with from fellow Mumsnetters, as she has done in the past. She has now improved her skills, which will help with her first Further Maths A-Level exam this week.
It's hard enough encouraging young women into STEM subjects without people like yourself looking down their noses on their efforts to improve their knowledge for absolutely no reason at all.

I stand by the fact that it’s a valid thing to say to suggest waiting til Monday and asking a teacher,

It wasn't a valid thing to say as has been explained numerous times. It was nonsense.

Wish her good luck for next week.

It was 26 years ago when I took it, but I can still clearly recall the stress I felt just before the first exam and the exhilaration when I finished the last.

Thank you so much. I will pass on the good luck wishes!