Question

Suppose that 24 inches of wire costs 72. At the same rate, how much (in cents) will 49 inches of wire cost?

Answer 1

I'm assuming the "costs 72" is referring to 72 cents.

If so, then this is one way to solve:

(24 inches)/(72 cents) = (49 inches)/(x cents)

24/72 = 49/x

24*x = 72*49

x = 72*49/24

x = 147

It costs 147 cents, aka $1.47, to get 49 inches of wire.