SOLUTION: Hi, I'm stuck on this problem from my pre-algebra teacher: 1/2 3 --- = --- w 5/6 I tried cross multiplication: 3w = .5/.8; 3w = 6.25; w = 2.083. Is this corr

Algebra ->  Equations -> SOLUTION: Hi, I'm stuck on this problem from my pre-algebra teacher: 1/2 3 --- = --- w 5/6 I tried cross multiplication: 3w = .5/.8; 3w = 6.25; w = 2.083. Is this corr      Log On


   

Question 62283: Hi, I'm stuck on this problem from my pre-algebra teacher:
1/2 3
--- = ---
w 5/6
I tried cross multiplication: 3w = .5/.8; 3w = 6.25; w = 2.083. Is this correct, and is it okay to use a decimal or should I use a fraction in the answer? Thanks.
Answer by funmath(2933) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
%281%2F2%29%2Fw=3%2F%285%2F6%29
Cross multiplying gives you:
%281%2F2%29%285%2F6%29=3w
%281%2A5%29%2F%282%2A6%29=3w
5%2F12=3w
%281%2F3%29%285%2F12%29=%281%2F3%29%283w%29
%281%2A5%29%2F%283%2A12%29=%283%2F3%29w
5%2F36=1w
highlight%28w=5%2F36%29
It's better to give fractional answers when given fractional equations and decimal answers when given decimal equations. That's a rule of thumb, some teachers are more precise than others.
Happy Calculating!!!