5x + 14y = 10
7y=4

Solve the equations above. How many steps are you going to write to arrive to the final answer?

Like this?

x = [10 - 14(4/7)]/5

= 2/5




Or like this?

Let 5x + 14y = 10 ---> (1) and 7y=4 ---> (2)

From (2): y= 4/7 ---> (3)

Substitute (3) into (1):

5x + 14(4/7) = 10

5x + 2(4) = 10

5x + 8 = 10

5x = 2

x = 2/5


*The question above is actually from Mass & Balance, but I changed it a little so that everyone can understand.*
I believe people with common sense with certainly use the first method. But there are some people in my school...wait...not "some people"...there is only one person in my school who likes to use the longer way!!

That special person is my ground instructor, who is responsible to teach me Mass & Balance.

I tried to argue with him. It saves candidates the time to allow for checking other questions (and can save ink summore ;P).

His reasoning: No. You don't take shortcut. It's because of shortcuts, you make errors. In flying, we should follow all the procedures laid down. If you follow those, you can't go wrong, bla bla bla...


Oh shut up already..


My comment: He is just to rigid. Pilots should be flexible and take the best actions in accordance to situations! I got all the questions correct but he gave me ZERO for all that! Just because I did not follow his "procedures"?!! Damnit.


This is mathematics! Not flying, you stubborn old man.