Question

in the city of erie, 8 meters of snow fell in 20 days. at this rate, how much snow would fall in 60 days?
(a) let a be the unknown amount of snow that would fall (in meters). using the values below, create a proportion that can be used to find a.
values: a, 8, 20, 60
(b) use the proportion from part (a) to find the amount of snow that would fall in 60 days. do not round any computations.
meters

Explanation:

Part (a)

Step1: Identify the ratio

The rate of snowfall is constant, so the ratio of snow (in meters) to days should be equal. So we set up the proportion with snow over days.
$\frac{8}{20} = \frac{A}{60}$

Step1: Cross - multiply the proportion

From $\frac{8}{20}=\frac{A}{60}$, cross - multiply: $20\times A = 8\times60$

Step2: Solve for A

Calculate $8\times60 = 480$, then $20A=480$. Divide both sides by 20: $A=\frac{480}{20}$

Step3: Simplify

$\frac{480}{20}=24$

Answer:

(for part a):
$\boldsymbol{\frac{8}{20} = \frac{A}{60}}$ (or $\frac{A}{60}=\frac{8}{20}$, $\frac{20}{8}=\frac{60}{A}$, $\frac{60}{A}=\frac{20}{8}$ are also correct as long as the ratio of snow to days is maintained)

Part (b)