The Algebra Of Bedlinen

Back in the day, our algebra exams had questions about A, B and C filling the bath. This is a similar sort of problem for you

Let DB = double bed, SB = single bed and JF = Japanese futon and dd = double duvet, sd = single duvet, kd = king-size duvet, ds = double sheet, ss = single sheet, pc = pillowcase.

The following information refers to bedlinen requirements of one very strange family between 1986 and 2011.

1986 Back in London we had 4 bedrooms, one with a double bed, the girls each had bunk beds, and we had twin single beds in the spare room. These all required duvet covers, bottom sheets, and pillowcases

DB + 2BB + 2SB = dd + ds + 6sd + 6ss + 16pc

1995 When we got to Leicester, we sold the bunk beds, the girls got Japanese futons [each needing 2 double duvet covers – one for the duvet, one for the mattress] and the spare room had one single bed in it.

DB + 2JF + 1SB = 5dd + sd + ds + ss + 10pc

2005 Then the girls went to Uni, and Bob got sleep apnoea. Liz and Steph bought us an IKEA King-sized bed in the year we were both 50 – it has two single mattresses side by side

That needs a king-sized duvet – but two single sheets. We sold one futon, took the other down to Liz, and moved our old double bed into Steph’s room.    KB + DB + SB = kd +  dd + sd + ds +3ss + 10pc

However it must be remembered that each bed needs three sets of linen – one on the bed, one in the wash, and one spare for emergencies. So all the above data needs to be trebled.

Calculate the following

1. how many pillowcases did I need in 1987?
2. where did all my single duvets go in 1997?
3. if the bunk beds all had pairs of matching sheets, why can I only find odd ones now?

I inherited bedlinen from both Mum and MIL, and have loads of pillowcases. Some of my double duvet covers have gone to Cornerstones. I also inherited a King-sized duvet – but no covers**. So I made one from a double duvet cover and some sheets, and bought a second. This week I did an audit of the airing cupboard.

The worn out linen[and there is plenty] is going to Bob’s ragbag in the garage. But I decided that I really needed another King-sized set. I discovered that one of the futon covers was actually big enough to cover my duvet – and it was a lovely plain cream fabric - but it had some horrible stains I could not shift. Back in the 90’s my girls wrote their essays with pen and ink [no laptops then] and coffee stains and ink stains were not uncommon. Here are just some of those stains…

I found another double duvet cover and took it apart

I put a strip of fabric down the duvet, covering all the nasty stains – and I made a set of matching pillowcases.

I think the bed looks quite acceptable now!

**that’s not strictly true - along with the duvet we were given one frilly pink floral cover – but Bob really did not like its girlie styling!!This simple cream and blue is much more his sort of thing.

All this algebra is a bit much – i think I need to go and lie down…