The exchange rate is approximately $1.50 american dollars = 1 riyal. At this rate, how many dollars would you get if you exchange 46.7 riyals?

Question

 The exchange rate is approximately $1.50 american dollars = 1 riyal. At this rate, how many dollars would you get if you exchange 46.7 riyals?

Answer 1

Hey Taylor,

 

So in the problem they give you something called an "equivalency factor or conversion factor" which is 1.50 dollars= 46.7 riyals.

 

So the next thing you want to do is set up an equation with the "starting units" will be on the outside of the parenthesis. The starting unit is typically the number you are converting from or in this problem exchanging (the riyals).

 

Next inside the parenthesis will be a fraction. You set the fraction up using the "conversion factor" where the units that match the starting units are on the bottom and the unit you want to end with is at the top. So the top number will be dollars because you want to find how much the riyals is in dollars (ending unit).

 

Ex. 46.7 riyals *(1.50 dollars / 1 riyals)=

 

Now you solve the problem. Multiple the outside number by the top number then divide the answer by the bottom number. This gives you

 

46.7 riyals * 1.50 dollars= 70.05 riyals*dollars

 

70.05 riyals*dollars/ 1 riyals= 70.05 riyals*dollars/ riyals

 

Since you have riyals at the top and bottom you can cross them off and now you are left with dollars as your units

 

70.05 riyals*dollars/ riyals 

 

Answer is 70.05 dollars.

 

You can skip some steps by doing them in your head, but it is more difficult to explain the steps on the computer. Hope this helps.