A sand timer has 5 5/17 ounces of sand. If the sand falls at a rate of 2.5 ounces per minute how many minutes will the timer last? Write the answer as a fraction
Applying proportion
1/2.5=x/( 5 5/17)
step 1
Convert mixed number to an improper fraction
5 5/17=5+5/17=90/17 ounces
substitute in the proportion
1/2.5=x/(90/17)
solve for x
x=(90/17)*(1/2.5)
Remember that
2.5=5/2
substitute
x=(90/17)*(1/(5/2)
x=(90/17)*(2/5)
x=(90*2)/(17*5)
simplify
x=36/17 minutes
Convert to mixed number
36/17=34/17+2/17=2 2/17 min