Chapter 9: Problem 27
Solve the proportion: \(\frac{9}{x}=\frac{27}{60}\).
Short Answer
Expert verified
The value of \(x\) is 20.
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Proportion
We start with the given proportion: \( \frac{9}{x} = \frac{27}{60} \). The goal is to find the value of \(x\) that makes this proportion true.
02
Cross-Multiply
In a proportion, the cross-products are equal. Thus, multiply 9 by 60 and \(x\) by 27 to get the equation: \( 9 \times 60 = 27 \times x \).
03
Calculate the Cross-Products
Calculate \(9 \times 60\), which results in 540. The equation is now \(540 = 27x\).
04
Solve for \(x\)
To find \(x\), isolate it by dividing both sides of the equation \(540 = 27x\) by 27. This gives \(x = \frac{540}{27}\).
05
Simplify the Fraction
Simplify \(\frac{540}{27}\) by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor, which is 27. So, \( \frac{540}{27} = 20 \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Cross-Multiplication
Cross-multiplication is a very effective tool for solving proportions, such as \( \frac{a}{b} = \frac{c}{d} \). This method is based on an important rule of equivalent fractions that states: "In a proportion, the cross-products are always equal." Thus, when you multiply the numerator of one ratio by the denominator of the other ratio, both products are equal.
- Start by identifying the two fractions involved in the proportion.
- Then, multiply the numerator of the first fraction by the denominator of the second fraction.
- Do the same with the denominator of the first fraction and the numerator of the second.
- Equate the two results to form an equation.
Simplifying Fractions
Fraction simplification involves reducing a fraction to its simplest form. This is done by dividing the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common factor (GCF). When a fraction is fully simplified, the numerator and the denominator have no common factors other than 1.
- First, find the GCF of the numerator and the denominator.
- Divide the numerator and denominator by their GCF.
- The result is the simplified fraction.
Greatest Common Divisor
The greatest common divisor (GCD) is a key mathematical concept used to simplify fractions. It is the largest positive integer that divides both numbers without leaving a remainder. To find the GCD, you can use several methods like listing the factors, using prime factorization, or employing the Euclidean algorithm.
- Listing Factors: Write down all factors of each number, then find the largest factor that both lists share.
- Prime Factorization: Break down both numbers into their prime factors, then multiply the common prime factors.
- Euclidean Algorithm: A faster method which uses the remainder of the division process to reduce the problem step-by-step.