Expert: Steve Holleran - 6/21/2007

Question
1.Suppose you are given a formula R=s+2t.If you know that s is three times greater than t, how could you rewrite the formula?


Answer
Hi Bors,

There's just one small item here that could cause trouble.  It's the phrase "s is three times greater than t".

I'm not sure whether you are to interpret it as meaning that s is 3 times the value of t, or if s is 3 times t greater than the value of t.

Let me explain.  Suppose t = 100.  
Then if s is 3 times t, s = 300.
But, if s is 3 times greater than t, that means s is 300 greater than t, so s = 400 (t+300).

In any case, the new formula is similar.
If s is 3 times t, then s = 3t, and R = s + 2t becomes

             R = 3t + 2t --> R = 5t

If s is 3 times greater than t, then s = 4t and you have

             r = 4t + 2t --->  R = 6t.

I hope you can decide which one is meant here.

Steve Holleran