Solving for Rita's Salary Using Proportions

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a problem related to the salaries of two individuals, Rita and Vickb, using proportions. Participants are attempting to derive Rita's salary based on given conditions about their earnings, savings, and spending habits.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant states that Vickb earns \$900 less than Rita and provides the proportions of their savings and spending.
  • Another participant emphasizes the need for clarity in presenting the problem and suggests typing out the entire question for better understanding.
  • A participant proposes labeling Rita's earnings as $R$ and Vickb's as $V$, and expresses the relationship between their earnings as an equation: $$V=R-900$$.
  • Further, it is noted that Rita spends 5/9 of her salary while Vickb spends 5/6 of hers, leading to the equation: $$\frac{5}{9}R=2\cdot\frac{5}{6}V$$.
  • One participant claims to have calculated Rita's earnings as \$1350, but another suggests that showing the work is necessary for verification.
  • Equations are presented to derive the final result, including $$R=3V=3(R-900)=3R-2700$$ and $$2R=2700$$, leading to the conclusion that $$R=1350$$.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

While some participants agree on the calculations leading to Rita's salary being \$1350, there is no consensus on the correctness of the approach or the clarity of the problem statement. The discussion remains somewhat unresolved as participants express differing views on the presentation of the problem and the necessity of showing work.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the clarity of the initial problem statement, and some assumptions about the spending proportions may not be fully articulated. The discussion also reflects varying levels of detail in the mathematical steps taken.

wailingkoh
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View attachment 4615View attachment 4616

Hi all
1st Question
V earns \$900 less than R.
R saves 1/6 of her \$ and V saves 4/9 of hers.
Both spend the rest.
How much Rita earns?

Attempted these 2 questions but feels that they are still incorrect. Please assist. Thank you :)
 

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wailingkoh said:
1st Question
V earns \$900 less than R.
R saves 1/6 of her \$ and V saves 4/9 of hers.
Both spend the rest.
How much Rita earns?

Judging by the first posted image, which is nearly impossible to read, you have left out some information here.

I recommend typing out the entire question, along your work so we can easily read it. Most people are not going to attempt to help if it is a struggle to do so. I'm not trying to be harsh, just honest. :D
 
MarkFL said:
Judging by the first posted image, which is nearly impossible to read, you have left out some information here.

I recommend typing out the entire question, along your work so we can easily read it. Most people are not going to attempt to help if it is a struggle to do so. I'm not trying to be harsh, just honest. :D

Hi
Thanks and I have typed out the question. :)

Vickb earns $900 less than Rita. Vickey saves 1/6 of her salary while Rita saves 4/9 of hers. Both spent the rest the their money. Rita spent twice as much than Vickey How much did Rita earned?
 
wailingkoh said:
Hi
Thanks and I have typed out the question. :)

Vickb earns \$900 less than Rita. Vickey saves 1/6 of her salary while Rita saves 4/9 of hers. Both spent the rest the their money. Rita spent twice as much than Vickey How much did Rita earned?

Okay, we could label the amount Rita earned as $R$ and the amount Vickey earned as $V$ (both amounts in dollars). Now, can you express the following as an equation?

Vickey earns \$900 less than Rita.
 
MarkFL said:
Okay, we could label the amount Rita earned as $R$ and the amount Vickey earned as $V$ (both amounts in dollars). Now, can you express the following as an equation?

Vickey earns \$900 less than Rita.

I got Rita earning as$1350
 
wailingkoh said:
I got Rita earning as$1350

Rather than simply posting the end result, it would be better for you to show your work. That way we can check your work rather than having to work the problem ourselves to check your answer. :D

To answer my previous post, we could write:

$$V=R-900$$

Now, we are also told that Rita spends 5/9 of her salary while Vickey spends 5/6 of hers and that the amount spent by Rita is twice that spent by Vickey, and so we may write:

$$\frac{5}{9}R=2\cdot\frac{5}{6}V$$

$$R=3V=3(R-900)=3R-2700$$

$$2R=2700$$

$$R=1350\,\checkmark$$
 
MarkFL said:
Rather than simply posting the end result, it would be better for you to show your work. That way we can check your work rather than having to work the problem ourselves to check your answer. :D

To answer my previous post, we could write:

$$V=R-900$$

Now, we are also told that Rita spends 5/9 of her salary while Vickey spends 5/6 of hers and that the amount spent by Rita is twice that spent by Vickey, and so we may write:

$$\frac{5}{9}R=2\cdot\frac{5}{6}V$$

$$R=3V=3(R-900)=3R-2700$$

$$2R=2700$$

$$R=1350\,\checkmark$$

Thanks :)
 

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