Final answer:
The '1/n x what' question is teaching how to solve for an unknown quantity 'x' by using a given numerical value and a known ratio. By aligning and canceling units correctly, the answer is found by multiplying the given number by the ratio or its reciprocal as needed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question '1/n x what' in the context of solving problems is asking for the application of a basic ratio and proportion method where 'n' is the known ratio and we're seeking the unknown quantity 'x'. The given information usually includes a numerical value accompanied by its units, and the goal is to find another value with specific units that the problem is asking for, typically known as 'find'. When performing the calculation, align the units so that the units in the denominator of the ratio match the units of given and the units in the numerator match those in find, ensuring that the units cancel out appropriately.
For instance, if we are asked 'What is one eighth of 1,000?', we need to identify the given information (1,000) and what we need to find (one eighth of this amount). Instead of division, you multiply the given number by the reciprocal of the fraction which in this case is 1/8, leading to the answer of 125.
Another example includes a scenario with six students using a product out of 25. Here, x=6 and n=25. By applying an adjustment method such as the plus-four method, we update our values to x=8 and n=29 to find the new proportion.