Question

Gina is growing a houseplant. When she measures it at the beginning of the month, it is 3 feet tall. When she measures it at the end of the month, it is 1 1/4the size it was at the beginning of the month. How many inches did the houseplant grow?​

Answer 1

Gina's houseplant grew by 9 inches over the course of the month. It was initially 3 feet tall, and by the end of the month it was 1 1/4 times its original size, which equals 45 inches or an increase of 9 inches from its original height.

Step-by-step explanation:

Gina's houseplant was 3 feet tall at the beginning of the month. By the end of the month, it grew to 1 1/4 times its original size. To calculate the growth in inches, first, we need to find the new height of the plant:

1. Multiply the original height by the growth factor: 3 feet x 1.25 = 3.75 feet.
2. Since the plant was originally 3 feet tall (36 inches, because 1 foot = 12 inches), the new height in inches will be 3.75 feet x 12 inches/foot = 45 inches.
3. To find out how much the plant grew, subtract the original height in inches from the new height: 45 inches - 36 inches = 9 inches.

Therefore, Gina's houseplant grew by 9 inches over the course of the month.