Question

HELP! And please show the process of solving it

Hydraulic fracturing is a process used by gas companies to rupture and collects pockets of gas trapped within pockets of shale rock. A particular shale fracking site is 1/6 miles in length and occupies an area of 5/8^2 miles. How wide is this particular site?

Answer 1

Answer as an improper fraction = 30/8 miles

Answer as a mixed number = 3 & 3/4 miles

Answer in decimal form = 3.75 miles

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How to get that answer:

Let's start with what we're given

• length = 1/6 miles
• width = w, some unknown positive number
• area = 5/8 square miles

Assuming this site is a rectangle, then we can say:

area = length*width

5/8 = (1/6)*w

(5/8)*(6/1) = w

(5*6)/(8*1) = w

30/8 = w

w = 30/8

The answer as an improper fraction is 30/8 miles.

If you want to convert that to a mixed number, then,

30/8 = (24+6)/8

30/8 = 24/8 + 6/8

30/8 = 3 + 3/4

30/8 = 3 & 3/4

The answer as a mixed number is 3 & 3/4 miles

Meaning the width is a full 3 miles wide, plus an additional 3/4 of a mile as well.

In decimal form, the answer is 3.75 miles