algebra word problems. help

Question

a radio is sold for $48. this is two thirds of the regular price.what is the regular price

Answer 1

$48 is 2/3 of the regular price. 

We can translate this into an equation to solve it using algebra. 

 

The regular price is what we are looking for, so that becomes our variable. 

Let x = the regular price.

 

The word "is" means =.

The word "of" means multiplication (*). 

 

$48 is 2/3 of the regular price. 

 48  =  2/3 * x

 

Divide both sides by 2/3. (Remember that we divide with a fraction by multiplying by the reciprocal. So we multiply by 3/2.)

 

(3/2)48 = x

72 = x

 

The regular price is $72! :)

 

 

 

Answer 2

Let x = the regular price.  The ratio of the sale price ($48) to the regular price is the same as the ratio 2/3:

 

 2        $48

---  =  -------

 3         $x

 

Cross multiply:

 

2x = 3*48

x = $72

 

Check:

($72)*(2/3) = $144/3 = $48

Check!