Do I solve 2.88 divided by 24 or 24 divided by 2.88

Question

If there are 24 boxes of screws In a carton and carton cost $2.88 , what is the cost per box?

Answer 1

You can always figure out which number is the divisor and which the divident by remembering that a unit rate is a ratio of something to 1 of something else. In this case, since you are finding cost per box, your ratio will be cost divided by boxes. Per means for each, which you can take to mean "divided by". So you will need $2.88 divided by 24.

Answer 2

Unit price is determined by cost divided by number, 2.88 / 24.