Question

Justin, Sam, and Andra have weekend jobs mowing lawns for money. At the end of the day on Saturday, Justin had mowed 2__ 1 4 times as many lawns as Sam had and Andra had mowed __ 1 2 as many lawns as Justin had. Who mowed the most lawns? Who mowed the least number of lawns?

Answer 1

Highest = Justin

Least = Sam

Explanation:

Given

Represent Justin with J, Sam with S and Andra with A.

From the question, we understand that

J = 2¼ of S

A = ½ of J

Required

Determine who mowed the most and who mowed the least.

J = 2¼ of S

J = 2¼ * S

J = 2¼S

Also,

A = ½ of J

A = ½ * J

Substitute 2¼S for J

A = ½ * 2¼S

Convert to improper number

A = ½ * 9/4S

A = 9/8S

Convert to mixed number

A = 1⅛S

The above expression implies that Andra mowed 1⅛ lawns as Sam had.

To get a clearer picture of the question.

Assume that:

S = 16

i.e Sam mowed 16 lawns

Substitute 16 for S in A = 1⅛S

A = 1⅛ * 16

A = 9/8 * 16

A = 9 * 2

A = 18

Also, substitute 16 for S in J = 2¼S

J = 2¼ * 16

J = 9/4 * 16

A = 9 * 4

A = 36

By comparison

36 > 18 > 16

Or

J > A > S

This implies that;

Justin mowed highest and Sam mowed the least