How to set up word problems

Question

Simone peeled 14 potatoes in 1/5 hours. At this rate, how many potatoes can Simone peel in one hour?

Answer 1

"how many potatoes can Simone peel in one hour?" is asking you to find a Unit Rate (that is, "how many of these for one of those?").  In this case, it is "how many potatoes for one hour?"

 

   Potatoes / hours

   (14 potatoes) / (1/5 hours)

   (14) / (1/5)  potatoes/hour

   (14) * (5/1)  potatoes/hour       [to divide by fraction, invert and multiply]

     70 potatoes/hour

     70 potatoes per hour

Answer 2

The answer is rather straightforward: in one our Simone will pill 14 x 5 = 70 potatoes