Dear Math Maggie,

I went shopping on Black Friday and got some really great deals on Christmas presents. One of the deals was on a flatscreen TV from Target.  The original price of the TV was $799 and it was marked down 30% for Black Friday. Before sales tax, the TV rang up at $639.20. It was a crazy night and I am unsure whether I actually received my 30% discount on the TV. Was I ripped off or did I get the deal that was advertised?

Sincerely,

Black Friday Shop-a-holic

Dear Math Maggie,

We have been learning about multiplying integers in school. I’m all good if there are only two integers to multiply together but I’m totally lost when my teacher puts more than two integers on the paper. 🙁  I know that when I multiply two numbers and the signs are the same the answer is positive and when the signs are different the answer is negative. Can you help me figure out what the sign to give the answer when I am multiplying 5 negative numbers?  What about 4 negative numbers and a positive number? Please explain!

Sincerely,

Positively in a Negative Rut!

Dear Math Maggie,

My friend Carl G. says it is possible to have the sum of two rational numbers be less than both rational numbers? How can this be if we are adding?! Please prove one of us correct by providing evidence one way or the other.

Sincerely,

Adding to my Confusion

Dear Maths Maggie,

I am very confused about time.  My teacher says playtime is at a quarter past 10 and lunch is at half past 12. She also said that our Maths test will take three quarters of an hour.  I don’t see any fractions on the clock so what on earth is she talking about?!? Can you please explain so I can understand this funny time my teacher keeps talking about?

Kind regards,

Time to Study