Story problems caused me a lot of trouble in school. Especially the ones that involved algebra. I think it was algebra. I may have been long division. Or it might have been that I wasn’t working up to my full potential. It’s wasn’t the reading. I was a good reader.

Here’s a sample of the kind of story problem that just gave me fits. This is a three part story problem. The first part is really simple, the second part is logic and reasoning (if you are married), but the third part really requires some brainpower.

Let’s say a person, just for fun, well call this person 60, who doesn’t have to travel to meetings much, has a meeting that is 2.5 hours from point A – let’s call this point A: 60’s Villa de le PooPoo.

First Part:

If 60 packs first thing in the morning for a noon meeting 2.5 hours away, watches a little Regis and Kelli, and walks to the mail box, what are the chance are that he will get in the car and drive away without taking his suitcase?

1. Unknown, not enough information.
2. 100%
3. This really isn’t a story problem is it? This really happened didn’t it?

Second Part:

Person B, we’ll call this person, Stitches, knows within 90 seconds, 60 left without the suitcase, but she has no idea what his planned driving route is, what should she do?

1. Blog it
2. Tell all her friends at Panera
3. Have about one friggin’ ounce of compassion
4. Conclude that 60 needs to sign a two year contract with a cell phone company, get a $200 phone, so she can call him.

Third Part:

60 races down the interstate at 75 mph. Then races up the parkway and down the beltway and along the highway.  Stitches leaves Villa de le PooPoo elebenty seconds after 60. Stitches drives the posted speed limit or just a little under. How long will it take for Stitches to catch up to 60?