Sam strained and strained but could only garner 7 1/8. If this was only 2/7 of what he wanted, how much did he want? Please answer in fraction form

Question

Advanced Mathematics 

Answer 1

Let x= the amount wanted

     7 1/8 is 2/7 of x

     7 1/8 = (2/7)*x      ("is" means equals; "of" usually means multiply)

     57/8 = (2/7)x         (convert to improper fraction)

    (7/2)(57/8) = x       (multiply both sides by 7/2)

      399/16 = x

       x = 24  15/16

 

Checking (very important):

  Is 57/8 = (2/7)(399/16)   ?

     57/8  = 57/8    ? yes