The Apple Method
Contents
[hide]What is the Apple Method?
The Apple Method is a method for solving algebra problems. An apple is used to make a clever algebraic substitution.
Why Apple?
A few reasons:
1. When you use the Apple Method, you can box what you are substituting with the apple. When you use as a substitution, instead of actually boxing it, you are just crossing it out.
2. Apples are easier to draw.
3. Apples are good for you.
4. An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away.
LaTeX code for apple
$(^{^(})$, or if you want some color, $\textcolor{red}{(\textcolor{green}{^{^(}})}$
Examples
1. Evaluate:
If we set , we can see that .
Solving, we get
2. If
Find x.
If we set equal to we get and
Simplifying, we find so
3. Evaluate:
Let . Note that
Thus, the answer is
Extensions
The :) Method
When more than one variable is needed, pears, bananas, stars, and smiley faces are usually used.