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Basic Math/Determine Cost Per Can

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Expert: - 6/1/2006


Question
Hello:

Is there a calculation to use to convert (3 cans)/($4.00) to ($4.00)/(3 cans) without simply inverting the (3 cans)/($4.00) in order to determine the cost per can?

I thank you for your reply.


Answer
What do you mean by "calculation"?

(3 cans)/($4.00) = 3/4 of a can per dollar, tells you
how much of a can a dollar can buy, whereas
($4.00)/(3 cans) = $4/3 per can = $1.33333... per can,
which tells how much it costs per can.

So, if you know one, you can get the other.

Abe

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Volunteer

Abe Mantell

Expertise

Hello, I am a college professor of mathematics and regularly teach all levels from elementary mathematics through differential equations, and would be happy to assist anyone with such questions!

Experience

Over 15 years teaching at the college level.

Organizations belong to
NCTM, NYSMATYC, AMATYC, MAA, NYSUT, AFT.

Education/Credentials
B.S. in Mathematics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
M.S. (and A.B.D.) in Applied Mathematics from SUNY @ Stony Brook

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