In question 1, we can create an equation. The company can fit 5 couches per truck, so we need to find out how many trucks “x” are needed to fit 75 couches total. With this information, the following equation is derived:
5x=75
We are trying to find 5 multiplied to x is 75, assuming each truck fits exactly 5 couches and no more nor no less. Solving for x, we will divide 5 on both sides to invert the multiplication so x is isolated:
5x/5=75/5
x=15
Checking the solution x=15:
5(15)=75, so 15 trucks are needed.
Similarly, we will use the same idea in question 2. The total is 724 students and we know that each helicopter holds 4 students, so we need to find “x” helicopters holding 4 students that will total 724. The following equation is derived:
4x=724
Solving for x:
4x/4=724/4
x=181
Checking the solution:
4(181)=724, so 181 helicopters are needed.