David W. answered • 03/11/16
Tutor
4.7
(90)
Experienced Prof
Olivia is 48 inches tall and 2/3 as tall as her brother Cameron in inches how tall is Cameron
When possible, assign a variable to represent the value the problem asks you to find. In this problem,
let:
x = Cameron's height
Translate the phrases of the word (story) problem into concise, precise math variables and expressions:
"Olivia ... 2/3 as tall as her brother Cameron" means
Olivia is (2/3) * x
"Olivia is 48 inches tall" means
48 = (2/3)x [combine with first statement]
"how tall is Cameron?" means report x
Math:
48 = (2/3)x [re-write]
48(3/2) = x [multiply both sides by (3/2)]
72 = x
Cameron is 72 inches tall. [note: (72 inches) / (12 inches/ft) = 6 feet]
