(a) The equation representing the number of hours Mr. Maxwell spent writing is "8 1/5h = 32 4/5."
(b) Solving the equation, we find that Mr. Maxwell spent 164/41 hours writing.
(a) Write an Equation:
Let h represent the number of hours Mr. Maxwell spent writing, and since he can write 8 1/5 paragraphs in an hour, the equation is:
"8 1/5h = 32 4/5."
This equation represents the relationship between the number of paragraphs (8 1/5h) and the total number of paragraphs Mr. Maxwell wrote today (32 4/5).
(b) Solve the Equation:
To find the value of h, we divide both sides of the equation by 8 1/5:
"h = (32 4/5) / (8 1/5)."
To simplify, convert the mixed numbers to improper fractions:
"h = 164/41."
Therefore, Mr. Maxwell spent 164/41 hours writing.
In summary, Mr. Maxwell spent 164/41 hours writing to produce 32 4/5 paragraphs for his novel.
The question probable may be:
1. Mr. Maxwell can write 8 1/5 paragraphs of his novel in an hour. Mr. Maxwell wrote 32 4/5 paragraphs today.
(a) Write an equation, without solving, for how many hours Mr. Maxwell wrote.
(b) Solve your equation to determine the number of hours Mr. Maxwell spent writing. Show your work.