Question

To steam rice, Paul uses m cups of water for every p

cups of rice. In terms of m and p, how many cups of
water are needed to steam p + 2 cups of rice?

Answer 1

`((p + 2)m)/(p)`

Explanation:

Given

m cups of water = p cups of rice

Required

Cups of water required for p + 2 cups of rice

The question shows a direct proportion between cups of rice and cups of water.

So, the first step is to get the proportionality constant (k)

This is calculated using the following expression;

`m = k * p`

Where k represents cups of water and p represents cups of rice

Make k the subject of formula

`k = (m)/(p)`

Let x represents cups of water when cups of rice becomes p + 2;

k becomes:

`k = (x)/(p + 2)`

Equate both expressions of k; to give

`(m)/(p) = (x)/(p + 2)`

Multiply both sides by p + 2

`(p + 2) * (m)/(p) =(p + 2) * (x)/(p + 2)`

`(p + 2) * (m)/(p) =x`

`x = (p + 2) * (m)/(p)`

`x = ((p + 2)m)/(p)`

Hence, the expression that represents the cups of water needed is
`((p + 2)m)/(p)`