Problem
The ratio of the mass
of an apple to the mass of two cherries is
9 : 1. The mass of the apple
is 150 g. What is the number of cherries that can be
found in y kg?
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Solution
Remarks
To obtain the answer, we made a
simplifying assumption that all the apples and cherries are identical in mass. The answer is an algebraic expression and it can be obtained by following the same procedure one would solve the problem if it were
in concrete numbers. Learning algebra is
like learning a new but more powerful language.
It takes some time getting used to. Since we do not know the value of y, we leave the answer in terms of y. But if we knew the value of y, we would know that the answer is 120 times that. For example, with 3 kg,
we get (about) 360 cherries.
H02. Use a diagram / model
H05. Work backwards
H08. Make suppositions
H10. Simplify the problem
H11. Solve part of the problem
Suitable Levels
* Primary 6 Mathematics (challenge)
* Lower Secondary Mathematics (Secondary 1)
* GCE ‘O’ Level “Elementary” Mathematics (revision)
* other syllabuses that involve ratios and
algebra
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