An equation for an algebra word problem

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers around solving an algebra word problem involving percentages. The equations provided are: a = d, b = 1.2a, and c = 1.25b = 1.5a. The key issue identified is the calculation of k, which represents the percentage decrease from c to d. The correct formulation is k = 3.333%, derived from the equation d = (1 - k/100)c. The participants emphasize the importance of proper LaTeX formatting for clarity in mathematical expressions.

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mech-eng
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Homework Statement


Suppose that b is 20% more than a, c is 25% more than b, and d is k% less than c. Find k such that a=d

Homework Equations


a=d; b=1.2a; c=1.25b=1.5a

The Attempt at a Solution


1. a=##\frac{c}{15 }##=d=##\frac{100c-k}{100}##
2. By multiplication of extremes and means we get 100c=150c-15.k
3. 50c=1.5k
4. Again simplifying k=33.3c

I have tried above solution but I think something is incorrect because k should be a number not a ratio in terms of c.
I don't latex well enough and it seems that step 1 is not seeming properly, too small symbols.
Source: Algebra and Trigonometry by Keedy Bittinger.
Thank you.
 
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mech-eng said:

Homework Statement


Suppose that b is 20% more than a, c is 25% more than b, and d is k% less than c. Find k such that a=d

Homework Equations


a=d; b=1.2a; c=1.25b=1.5a

The Attempt at a Solution


1. a=##\frac{c}{15 }##=d=##\frac{100c-k}{100}##
2. By multiplication of extremes and means we get 100c=150c-15.k
3. 50c=1.5k
4. Again simplifying k=33.3c

I have tried above solution but I think something is incorrect because k should be a number not a ratio in terms of c.
I don't latex well enough and it seems that step 1 is not seeming properly, too small symbols.
Source: Algebra and Trigonometry by Keedy Bittinger.
Thank you.
You have a typo and an error in multi-equation #1.

For one, ##\ \displaystyle a=\frac{c}{1.5} \ ##. (Missed the decimal point.)

More importantly the last part is in error.
##\ \displaystyle \frac{100c-k}{100} \ ##​
is incorrect. ##\ k\ ## must also multiply ##\ c\ ##.
 
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But if ##d## is ##k%## less than ##c##, does not this mean ##\frac{c}-k}{100} ## and isn't it ##\frac{100c-k}{100}##?

And would you please explain why percent sign not appear in this code?
upload_2017-5-8_18-11-8.png

Thank you.
 

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mech-eng said:

Homework Statement


Suppose that b is 20% more than a, c is 25% more than b, and d is k% less than c. Find k such that a=d

Homework Equations


a=d; b=1.2a; c=1.25b=1.5a

The Attempt at a Solution


1. a=##\frac{c}{15 }##=d=##\frac{100c-k}{100}##
2. By multiplication of extremes and means we get 100c=150c-15.k
3. 50c=1.5k
4. Again simplifying k=33.3c

I have tried above solution but I think something is incorrect because k should be a number not a ratio in terms of c.
I don't latex well enough and it seems that step 1 is not seeming properly, too small symbols.
Source: Algebra and Trigonometry by Keedy Bittinger.
Thank you.
You need
$$d =\left( 1 - \frac{k}{100} \right) c$$
 
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$$d =\left( 1 - \frac{k}{100} \right) c$$=##\frac{c}{1.5}##

##50c=15ck##

and k=3.333

Would you please write above in the proper latex form?

Thank you.
 
@mech-eng, I suggest you check your answer of ##k = 3.333\%## against your initial set of equations ##a=d; b=1.2a; c=1.25b##.

Also, although percentages proper are expressed as ##x/100##, it's easier & faster during calculation to assume 1 = 100%; thus instead of $$d = \left(1 - \frac{k}{100}\right) c$$ you can work more simply with ##d = (1 - k)c##. For that matter you can substitute a temporary value for that expression and do the subtraction later on.
 
Last edited:
mech-eng said:
$$d =\left( 1 - \frac{k}{100} \right) c$$=##\frac{c}{1.5}##

##50c=15ck##

and k=3.333

Would you please write above in the proper latex form?

Thank you.
That looks proper to me.

Mathematically, it's equivalent to

##\ \displaystyle d = \left(\frac{100-k}{100}\right) c ##
 
I think the OP was referring to the part of his comment that wasn't already formatted in LaTeX.
 
Last edited:
##\ \displaystyle d = \left(\frac{100-k}{100}\right) c=\frac c {15} ##

I added the right side but is it proper. I didn't used symbols such as \left and \right.
The following is what I added there. But it is not the same when it is on the right side. Would you please explain this?
## \frac c {15}##

Thank you.
 
  • #10
mech-eng said:
##\ \displaystyle d = \left(\frac{100-k}{100}\right) c=\frac c {15} ##

I added the right side but is it proper. I didn't used symbols such as \left and \right.
The following is what I added there. But it is not the same when it is on the right side. Would you please explain this?
## \frac c {15}##

Thank you.
Proper in what way?

You dropped the decimal point from 1.5 again, otherwise, it looks right math-wise .

By the way: for % symbol in LaTeX, use \ suffix as in \%.

## 7\% ## or ##k\%##
 
  • #11
SammyS said:
Proper in what way?

You dropped the decimal point from 1.5 again, otherwise, it looks right math-wise .

Sorry. Question is solved. But look the Latex. Their size of the c/15 parts are different.

Thank you.
 

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