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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : How To Find The Length Of An Edge Of A Prism
The length of a box is 3 times the width. Which of the following gives the length (L inches) in terms of the width (W inches) of the box?
L = W + 3
L = 3W
L = 3/W
L = ½ (3W)
L = 3W
When reading word problems, there are certain clues that help interpret what is going on. The word “is” generally means “=” and the word “times” means it will be multiplied by something. Therefore, “the length of a box is 3 times the width” gives you the answer: L = 3 x W, or L = 3W.
Example Question #2 : How To Find The Length Of An Edge Of A Prism
The width of a box, in inches, is 5 inches less than three times its length. Which of the following equations gives the width, W inches, in terms of the length, L inches, of the box?
W=5-3L
W=3L-5
W=3-5L
W=5L-3
W=3L-5
We notice the width is “5 inches less than three times its width,” so we express W as being three times its width (3L) and 5 inches less than that is 3L minus 5. In this case, W is the dependent and L is the independent variable.
W = 3L - 5
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All High School Math Resources
