Problem Solving

boomgoesthegmat wrote:How many minutes does it take John to type y words if he types at the rate of x words per minute?

A) x/y

B) y/x

C) xy

D) 60x/y

E) y/60x

We are given that John types at a rate of x words per minute; thus, his rate is:

x/1 = x

We are asked for the number of minutes it will take John to type y words. We can solve, using the formula for time.

time = work/rate

time = y/x

Alternate Solution:

We are given that John types at a rate of x words per minute; thus, his rate is (x words)/(1 minute).

Let's let q = the number of minutes it will take him to type y words. We can set up a proportion:

x/1 = y/q

Cross multiplying, we have:

xq = y

Solving for q, we have:

q = y/x

Answer: B