Question

Jamaal studied h hours for a big test. Karla studied one fourth as long. Write an algebraic expression for the length of time Karla studied. Use this expression to determine the length of time that Karla studied if Jamaal studied for 5 hours and 20 minutes.

Answer 1

Let's assign variable x to denote the number of hours for Karla to study. Since the relationship is relative to Jamaal's hours, the equation for Karla's hours would be:

x = (1/4)h

So, if Jamaal studied h = 5 h + (20 min* 1 h/60 min) = 16/3 or 5.333 hours. Thus, Karla's hours would be

x = (1/4)(16/3) = 1.33 hours or 1 hour and 20 minutes.