Question

Bonnie has a container in the shape of a rectangular pyramid. The formula for the surface area of the enclosed space is S = lw + 0.5Ph. Solve for P. P = S – lw – 0.5h P = S + lw + 0.5h P = The quantity S minus l times w all divided by 0.5 times h P = S divided by the quantity l times w plus 0.5 times h

Answer 1

`P=(S-lw)/(0.5h)`

Explanation:

Our original equation is

S = lw + 0.5Ph

The term lw is the farthest from P; subtract it first:

S-lw = lw+0.5Ph-lw

S-lw = 0.5Ph

We want to cancel both the 0.5 and the h; since both are multiplied by P, we can cancel both of them using division at the same time:

`(S-lw)/(0.5h)=(0.5Ph)/(0.5h)\\\\(S-lw)/(0.5h)=P`

Answer 2

S = LW + 0.5Ph......subtract LW from both sides
S - LW = 0.5Ph......divide both sides by 0.5h
(S - LW) / 0.5h = P

P = the quantity S minus L times W...all divided by 0.5 times h