Problema Solution

The number of desks a factory produces varies directly with the number of hours the machinery is operational. Suppose the factory can produce 147 desks in 30 hours. How many hours will it take to produce 250 desks?

Answer provided by our tutors

The statement "y varies directly as x," means that when x increases, y increases by the same factor, that is:

y =k*x, where k is the ratio (the factor)

This said we can write down the following equations:

30 = k*147

250 =k*x, where 'x' represents the hours needed to produce 250 desks.

Since 30 = k*147 for k we can write k = 30/147.

In the same manner from 250 =k*x we have k = 250/x.

Now we have:

250/x = 30/147

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click here to see the equation solved for x

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x = 1,225 hours

It will take 1,225 hours to produce 250 desks.