Problem |
Solution |
1) Define the operation V as p V q =
(p + q)/(2p + q).
What is 6 V 4 in lowest terms? |
1. In the expression for V, p = 6 and q = 4.
2. Put these values into the equation for V and solve =
    (6 + 4)/(2x6 + 4) =
    10/16 = 5/8
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2) Rory knows he is 8 inches shorter than his sister. He's figured out that his height in inches is 7/8
her height in inches. How tall is he in inches?
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1. If he is 7/8ths of his sister's height then what remains is the fraction 1/8.
2. This fraction of his sister's height is 8 inches.
3. Rory's sister's height is
    Let h be his sister's height.
    Then h/8 = 8 inches.
    h = 8 x 8 = 64 inches.
    He is 8 inches shorter than this which is 56 inches.
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3) Mrs. Pack notices that in her stamp drawer she still has unfinished rolls of old 8 cent stamps and 15 cent
stamps. She needs to mail a package for which the postage is $0.78. What's the fewest number of
8 cent stamps and 15 cent stamps she can use to get the exact postage amount? |
1. Divide 78 cents by 15 to get the number of 15 cent stamps = 5
2. Compute the remainder by subtracting the value of this many 15 cent stamps from 78 cents = 78 - 15x5 = 3 cents.
3. If this remainder is not a multiple of 8, reduce the number of 15 stamps by 1 and repeat until you get a remainder that is divisible by 8
4. Mrs. Pack needs 6 8 cent stamps and 2 15 cent stamps.
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