document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=1042637>Question 1042637</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> I think this is a basic question. But it has been 10 years since I had any algebra and I have to take a placement course for college courses. Here is my problem: \"if the total cost of x apples is b cents, what is a general formula for the cost, in cents, of y apples?\" <BR>\n" );
document.write( "I believe I know the answer to this problem, but I need help in understanding why this is the answer. I can get to \"by/x\" , but I don't remember why I am going through these motions. Is there a law or property that is involved in this problem? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #657630 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=josmiceli><B>josmiceli(19441)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=josmiceli><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=josmiceli><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=657630\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> The \"rate\" the apples are selling at is:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "{ b cents ] / [ x apples ], or<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=+b%2Fx+ ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"+b%2Fx+\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > cents/apples<BR>\n" );
document.write( "----------------------<BR>\n" );
document.write( "If you multiply the \"rate\" by the number of apples<BR>\n" );
document.write( "You get the cost of that many apples, so<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=+%28b%2Fx%29%2Ay+ ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"+%28b%2Fx%29%2Ay+\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > = <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=+b%2A%28+y%2Fx+%29+ ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"+b%2A%28+y%2Fx+%29+\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "------------------------<BR>\n" );
document.write( "[ cent / apples ] x [ apples ] = [ cents ]<BR>\n" );
document.write( "so, the dimensions make sense </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );