math question has me confused need help quick

fatdaddycool

Chi-TownHustler
Forum Member
Mar 26, 2001
13,716
275
83
60
Fort Worth TX usa
You have x number of people in a room. Everyone in the room shakes everyone elses hand once and once only. there are 750 total handshakes, how many people are in the room?
 

marine

poker brat
Forum Member
Jul 13, 1999
3,867
73
48
50
Fort Worth, TX
Total number of handshakes = X(X-1)/2
(you divide by 2 because you dont count handshakes between the same people twice.

750= [x(x-1)]/2

1500 = x(x-1)

1500 = x^2 - x

x^2 - x - 1500 = 0

solve for x
 
Last edited:

marine

poker brat
Forum Member
Jul 13, 1999
3,867
73
48
50
Fort Worth, TX
yea, but it doesn't work out for 750 handshakes.
just got done running the numbers to try and solve for x and i am stuck between 39 and 40 for an answer when you plug it into the equation.

fdc... are you sure its 750 handshakes?
 

marine

poker brat
Forum Member
Jul 13, 1999
3,867
73
48
50
Fort Worth, TX
fdc... you've got like 38 people in the room plus a guy with just a left arm, unable to shake hands with everyone else.
 

marine

poker brat
Forum Member
Jul 13, 1999
3,867
73
48
50
Fort Worth, TX
ok, so 741... do you think you can connect the dots and get the answer big guy? or should we take you by the hand and do it for you?


hope it helped,
 

marine

poker brat
Forum Member
Jul 13, 1999
3,867
73
48
50
Fort Worth, TX
its also wrong but thanks anyway I appreciate the help, and no Marine I can take myself by the hand thank you very much. Who knows where yours has been:shrug:

if you think 39 is not the answer to the question with 741 handshakes .... maybe you better take my hand big guy.

I promise I'll be gentle

[x(x-1)]/2
x=39

39(39-1)/2
39(38)/2

1482/2
741
 

Woodson

L I V I N
Forum Member
Oct 23, 1999
15,508
79
48
Blockchain
Unless you're running for office..........who gives a shit?

:shrug:


While we're here... let me ask...


What made you hit the reply button and type that off topic pointless piece of shit reply?

Are all 10,000 of your posts this bad?
 
Bet on MyBookie
Top