You are here:

Basic Math/simple math

Advertisement

Expert: Josh - 6/3/2004


Question
basic  
Question  - simple, general math...and I can't remember how to calculate the answer! This is so basic:

If you are buying a product at $3.99 a pound, and the amount you want weighs in at .27 lbs. (little bit more than a 1/4 lb.) How much should it cost?  Please include your method of finding the answer.  I came up with one but am insecure tht it is correct  ($1.08).  Thanks.  

Answer
Bubbe,

The unit cost is given in "dollars per pound", i.e., [$/lb], while the product is weighed in pounds [lb].
IF you mulitply them together, the unit for the weight in the numerator cancels with that in the denominator. So, the resulting quantity will once again be measured in dollars.

We have
[$x/lb]*[y lb] = $ x*y.
where x=3.99, y=0.27

So, the product costs 3.99 [dollars/lb] x 0.27 [lb]
= $1.08

Cheers.

Basic Math

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Josh

Expertise

When I work through problems, I like to emphasize concepts which I believe are worth noting. I will try to answer questions in the following areas, but not at the advanced level. Algebra. Sequences & Series. Trigonometry. Functions & Graphs. Coordinate Geometry. Quadratic Polynomials. Exponential & Logarithms. Basic Calculus. Probability, Permutation and Combination. Mathematical Induction. Complex numbers. Physics problems.

Experience

I have worked as a teaching assistant in college. My hope is that more people will share knowledge without boundary, give help without seeking recognition or monetary rewards.

Education/Credentials
Bachelor degree in Engineering Science

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.