Suppose that 11 inches of wire costs 44 cents. At the same rate, how many inches of wire can be bought for 32 cents?

Question

Solving a word problem on proportions using a unit rate

Answer 1

11 inches of wire for 44 cents could be set up as a ratio.

44 cents / 11 inches. Reduce to find the cents per inch

44/11 = 4/1 The unit rate is 4 cents per inch.

Then divide to find how many inches can be purchased for 32 cents.

32÷4 = 8.

8 inches can be purchased for 32 cents.