One type of decorative ribbon regularly costs $3.59 per yard. When the ribbon is on sale, it cost $2.19 per yard. Which is the closest to the difference in the cost per inch for the ribbon when it on sale compared to its regular price?

Question

One type of decorative ribbon regularly costs $3.59 per yard.  When the ribbon is on sale, it cost $2.19 per yard.  Which is the closest to the difference in the cost per inch for the ribbon when it on sale compared to its regular price?

A.  1.9 cents per inch
B.  3.8 cents per inch
C.  11.6 cents per inch
D.  16.06 cents per inch

Please explain how to solve.  I subtracted 2.19 from 3.59 and got 1.4 and divided by 36 and got .038.  How does it come out to be 0.038 cents per inch?

Ms. Sue · Accepted Answer

You're right -- but -- you were working with dollars and fractions of a dollar. 0.038 is $0.038 -- a small part of a dollar. Multiply by 100 to get 3.8 cents per inch.