As an evil math teacher, your top priority is to try and confuse your students as much as possible. Your favorite way to delude them is by writing misleading but mathematically correct examples on the board.

Today you are covering fraction addition. You plan to write down several correct equations in which summing the numerators will result in the numerator of the sum. An example is shown below:

1   1   2
- + - = -
2   6   3

To maximize obfuscation, you don't want common denominators in any equation, and each fraction must be a proper fraction in lowest terms. Also, you prefer simpler equations (feel free to define "simple"), because simple-looking equations prevent questions, and questions lead to (*gasp*) learning.

Replace the question marks with numbers.

1   2   3     1   3   4     1   4   5
- + - = -     - + - = -     - + - = -     
?   ?   ?     ?   ?   ?     ?   ?   ?     

2   2   4     3   3   6     ?   ?   ?
- + - = -     - + - = -     - + - = -     
?   ?   ?     ?   ?   ?     ?   ?   ?

Note: The last equation is to be filled with your favorite evil equation.

1/3 + 4/33 = 5/11  works.  I see a pattern forming here. 

Posted by Mindrod on 2006-01-21 17:07:52