Math Homework

Question

I can't figure out whether to add, multiply or to divide. The question says, "Freda paid $126 for groceries for her family. This was 1 1/6 as much as she paid the previous time she shopped. How much did Freda pay on her previous shopping trip?" HELP ME!

Answer 1

Let p = her previous shopping trip

Here's what we know:

1 ¹/₆ p = 126 (her previous shopping trip times 1 ¹/₆ equals this week's, which was $126)

Let's convert that mixed number to an improper fraction:

⁷/₆ p = 126

Multiply both sides by ⁶/₇:

⁷/₆ p * ⁶/₇ = 126 * ⁶/₇

p = 126 * ⁶/₇

Solve that, and you'll have your answer.

Answer 2

x = what she paid in her previous shopping trip

 

Given:

 

$126 = 1 1/6 of x

 

Note 1 1/6 is the same as 

 

6/6 + 1/6 = 7/6

 

$126 = (7/6)x

 

Solve for x.

 

x = (6/7)($126) = ?