Real-Life Math -- Solution
You are trying to determine whether a new stereo will
fit in a spot vacated by an old radio. You know the size of the new stereo,
but you must calculate the height of the old radio.
Radio:
Volume
= 240 cubic inches
Length = 10 inches
Width = 6 inches
Height
= h
Volume (cubic inches, in this case)
= length x width x height
240 cubic inches
= 10 inches x 6 inches x h inches
240 = 60 x h
240 / 60 = h
h
= 4 inches
The height of the old radio is 4 inches.
Next,
convert the height, width and length of the old radio from inches to centimeters:
1
inch = 2.54 cm
Old radio:
Length
= 10 inches
New length = L
1 inch x L cm = 2.54 cm x 10 inches
L
cm = 2.54 x 10
2.54 x 10 = 25.4 cm
New length = 25.4 cm
Width
= 6 inches
New width = W
1 inch
x W cm = 2.54 cm x 6 inches
2.54 x 6 = 15.24 cm
New width = 15.24
cm
Height = 4 inches
New height = H
1 inch x H cm =
2.54 cm x 4 inches
2.54 x 4 inches = 10.16 cm
Height = 10.16
cm
Old radio:
Length
= 25.4 cm
Width = 15.24 cm
Height = 10.16 cm
New
Stereo:
Length = 23 cm
Width = 12 cm
Height
= 10 cm
Each of the dimensions of the new stereo is smaller
than the old radio, so the stereo will fit into the space without having to
cut a new hole in the dash.
"It's very simple math -- it's lengths,
widths, depths to calculate the volume of a box," says Ian Walls. He's the
owner of a car stereo store. "The formulas are very straightforward, so they
can be learned by someone who can do arithmetic or very simple algebra.
"So
much of that can now be done with a computer," he adds. "Computer skills are
important because of online technical support."