Simplify your answer

Question

One square yard equals 9ft^2. use this information to convert 14.6 yd^2 to square feet.

Answer 1

To convert units without changing the value, we use the Multiplicative Identity (that is, 1).  Any value multiplied by 1 remains the same.

 

This problem gives:

      1  =   (1 yd²) / (9 ft²)

      1  =   (9 ft²) / (1 yd²)         [note: choose appropriate one]

 

Convert:

       14.6 yd²

       (14.6 yd²) * 1

       (14.6 yd²) * ( ( 9 ft²) / (1 yd²) )

       (14.6)*(9) ft²         [note:  yd² cancels out]

       131.4 ft²

Answer 2

This is a problem of proportions.

 

1 yd^2 / 9 ft^2

 = 14.6 yd^2 / ?

 

cross-multiply and get ? = 9 * 14.6 = 131.4 ft^2

 

and that's it. :-)