Question

United States flags come in different sizes. Standard dimensions for a flag are a length to width ratio of 1 : 9 to 1. Flag 1 has a width of 1 foot and a length of 1.9 feet and Flag 2 has a width of 2.7 feet. What is the correct length of Flag 2?

Answer 1

5.13 feet

Explanation:

So, we have the full dimensions of flag #1, and we have the partial dimensions of flag #2, which should follow the same ratio as flag #1, since not indicated otherwise.

When you need to compare dimensions like that, the easiest way to proceed is to do a cross-multiplication. Let's say x is the length of flag #2 we're looking for. It's ratio over the width of flag #2 will be the same as the ratio of the length of flag #1 over its width, so:

`(x)/(2.7) = (1.9)/(1)`

If we isolate x, we have x = (2.7 * 1.9) / 1 = 5.13 feet

Which makes sense since we know the result should be a bit less than 2.7 times 2.