The Lion in

LoveAn algebra fable

By Alice

Once upon a time...

...A Lion fell in love with a maiden and proposed marriage

to her parents. The old people did not know what to say.

They did not like to give their daughter to the Lion, yet they

did not wish to enrage the King of Beasts. At last after ____

minutes of thought the father said...

How many minutes did the old man think for before he

spoke? Solve for m.

8m÷4=6

Answer: 3 minutes

“We feel highly privileged by your Majesty’s proposal, but

you see our daughter is a tender young thing, and we fear

that in the... passion of your affection you might possibly do

her some injury. Might I venture to suggest that your

Majesty should have your claws removed, and your teeth

extracted, then we would gladly consider your proposal

again.” The Lion was so much in love that he had his ____

claws removed...

How many claws did the lion have? Solve for c.

2(2c-3)+c=94

Answer: 20 claws

...and his ___ teeth taken out.

How many teeth did the Lion have taken out? Solve for t.

2c-(-3)=63

Answer: 30 teeth

But when the toothless, clawless Lion after ___ days of

waiting returned to repeat his request...

How many days did it take for the Lion to return to the

maiden’s house? Solve for d.

5(3d-2)+d=6

Answer: 1day

...the maiden’s father, no longer afraid, set upon him

with his club, and drove the Lion ___km into the forest.

How many km did the Lion go into the forest? Solve

for x.

3x-3 = 2x+1

6 5

Answer: 7

“An extravagant love consults neither life, fortune, nor

reputation, but sacrifices all that can be dear to a man of

sense and honor, to the transports of an inconsiderate

passion.”

“Love can blind even the wildest”