SOLUTION: While touring through Europe, Alfred finds that $1 is equal to 7 drachmas and 5 drachmas are equal to 3 quilos. What is the ratio of dollars to quilos. Here is how I solved the

Algebra ->  Percentage-and-ratio-word-problems -> SOLUTION: While touring through Europe, Alfred finds that $1 is equal to 7 drachmas and 5 drachmas are equal to 3 quilos. What is the ratio of dollars to quilos. Here is how I solved the      Log On


   



Question 1071184: While touring through Europe, Alfred finds that $1 is equal to 7 drachmas and 5 drachmas are equal to 3 quilos. What is the ratio of dollars to quilos.
Here is how I solved the problem:
Conversion factors:
$1/7drachmas
5 drachmas/3 quilos
Dimensional analysis:
[($1)/(7 drachmas)]*[(5 drachmas)/(3 quilos)]=$5/21 quilos
I got the answer via dimensional analysis just like I would calculate it in general chemistry. However, my answer does not coincide with the one in the solutions manual. I treated the ratios given as conversion factors and then multiplied them together and canceled out common units. The units remaining are dollars to quilos, which is what my answer is asking for. My answer is 5 dollars/21 quilos. Textbook answer is 21 dollars to 5 quillos. I don't think textbook's answer is correct. Could you help PLEASE?

Answer by rothauserc(4718) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
$5 = 7 * 5 = 35 drachmas
:
There are 3 quilos per 5 drachmos, therefore
:
(35 / 5) * 3 = 21 quilos
:
$5 is 21 quilos
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