Kris S.

asked • 03/20/17

What is 7/8x=42

    What is seven eights times blank equals forty two. 

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Kemal G. answered • 03/20/17

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7/8x = 42/1 (put 1 below 42)
cross multiply and we get
336x = 7
x = 0.02 (to the nearest hundredth)
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Kemal G.

Kris, As you see, the way you wrote the question without using parenthesis, both solutions are correct! 
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03/20/17

Arturo O.

Kris,
 
Lack of parentheses is a recurring problem in many math postings.  David interpreted the problem as 
 
(7/8)x = 42
 
Kemal interpreted the problem as
 
7/(8x) = 42
 
These are two different problems, with different solutions.  Both tutors gave correct answers to their interpretation of the problem.  Please use parentheses to avoid ambiguity.  That will be more clear than trying to explain the problem with words.
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03/20/17

Kemal G.

Indeed Arturo! Thank you for taking the time to emphasize. Best, Kemal
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03/20/17

David W.

"What is seven eights times blank equals forty two?" is not at all ambiguous!
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03/20/17

Kemal G.

David, based on what I know about math, I am not sure you can really argue that that is the only solution to the problem unless it is specified by parenthesis. 
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03/20/17

David W.

The problem included these words.
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03/20/17

Kemal G.

You are right. The wording of the problem states that. However, algebraic notation of the problem does not support that. If you agree that the wording needs to be expressed as (7/8)*x = 42, then I would contend that there is still ambiguity. This is all I have to say about this. Thank you.
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03/20/17

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