RATIOS AND PROPORTIONS
x 3
- = -
4 2
The boards don't post spacing as we would wish. I suppose the problem is
x/4 = 3/2.
Multiply left and right sides by 4. That will "cancel" the 4 in the denominator of the left side.
Now multiply both sides by 2. That will "cancel" the 2 in the denominator of the right side. Next, solve for x, following the same procedure used for the previous problem you posted. Let us know if there is anything you don't understand but tell us exactly what you don't understand.
After you see how it is done (multiplying to rid the equation of the denominators), you may take a shortcut by simply cross multiplying. That is
x/4 = 3/2.
Draw a line running from x to 2 (through the equal sign) and another line from 4 to 3 (through the equal sign). You will see the "cross" we made. It looks like an X and goes through the equal sign.
So, x multipied by 2 = 2x and 4 multiplied by 3 = 12. Therefore, we have 2x = 12. Solve for x to obtain x = 6.
This can be checked by substituting 6 for x.
6/4 = 3/2.
6/4 can be simplified to 3/2 and
3/2 = 3/2.
I hope this helps.
1 answer
1 answer