Expert: Sherman D. - 1/18/2005

Question
Solve each proportion and write each ratio.

Fleas are the world's highest leapers for their body size. A flea that leaps 7.5 inches leaps about 130 times its height. What is the height of this flea?  Round your answer to the nearest hundreth.

This is what I got. Don't understand.
7.5
--- = 17 1/3
130

You can find out how far away a thunderstorm is if you count the seconds between the time you see the lightning flash and hear the thunder. Sound travels at a rate of 1096 feet per second. How far is the storm if three seconds elapse between the time you see the lighting  and hear the thunder? (Round your answer to the nearest hundredth mile. 5280 feet = 1 mile.)

This is what I got. Don't understand.
3288   411
---- = ---
5280   1320

Please give details because I had a sub. today in class and she did not explain any of this and my teacher will not be back for 2 days.
She started proportions and ratios today and my teacher never went over this with us.  She spent 10 min. on it. I a very confused. This is only 2 questions of 10 but I an unable to answer any of them. Please help me.

Answer
A flea that is 7.5 inches, can jump 130x inches in the air. Is what that is saying.
7.5inches = 130x
divide both sides by 130
x = (7.5)/130
x = (75/1300)
x = (15/260)
x = (3/52)
x = .057692301 inches
x = about .06 inches
ANS : .06 inches

You did 130/7.5 instead of the other way around.

7.5
--- = 17 1/3
130
should be
7.5/130 = 3/52 instead of 52/3
Let me know if you don't understand it.

-----------------------------------------------------------

S = d/t
S = 1096 ft/s
t = 3 seconds

1096 = d/3
d = 3288 feet

3288/5280 = .62272727 miles
ANS : .62 miles

3288/5280 = 411/1320

should be done like this

3288/5280 = 411/660 = 137/220

You just simplified wrong