Method of False Position Example

 

2 spaceships are intertwined in a galactic fight; each have a limited number of lasers to fire. One pilot fires one sixth of their lasers and are left with 40 shots left; how many lasers did that pilot start with? 

Solution:

x - x/6 = 40

(try x = 6)

6 - 6/6 = 6-1 = 5 

since 40/5 = 8, we can try x = 48 

48 - 48/6 = 48 - 8 = 40

So the pilot initially had 48 shots