SOLUTION: Hello, I just began 9th grade, and tonight I received an assignment on quite a few of some word problems where I need to "Solve using the five-step plan. Write out each step. A

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Question 151994: Hello,
I just began 9th grade, and tonight I received an assignment on quite a few of some word problems where I need to "Solve using the five-step plan. Write out each step. A choice of possible numbers for one unknown is given."
I've had much frustration and trouble with this... Here's *one of* the questions that I'm having trouble with
"The height of a flagpole is three fourths the height of the school. The difference in their heights is 4.5 m. What is the height of my school? Choices for school's height: 18,20,24."
My teacher wants me to do the four-step box way of showing and solving the equation. Such as:
1... Let s= School's height
Let (3/4)s= Flagpole's height
2... s-4.5+=+3%2F4s
3... (Solving the equation, showing work)
4... *solution*= School's height
*other solution*= Flagpole's Height
Thanks. I really need to complete this homework tonight, would appreciate your help please explain to me how to do this!
Thank you!
Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Well, your initial step is ok, but when you wrote step 2, you should have used parentheses, thus:
2...s-4.5 = (3/4)s
s-4.5+=+%283%2F4%29s So now you need to simplify this and solve for s, the height of your school.
s-4.5+=+%283%2F4%29s Add 4.5 to both sides of the equation.
s+=+4.5%2B%283%2F4%29s Now subtract %283%2F4%29s from both sides.
s-%283%2F4%29s+=+4.5
%281%2F4%29s+=+4.5 Multiply both sides by 4 to clear the fraction.
s+=+4%2A%284.5%29
s+=+18
So the height of your school is 18 meters.