How do you translate "the answer of pages in R reams of paper in each ream has 500 pages" into an algebraic expression?

1 Answer
Jun 26, 2015

#500R# (or #500*R#)

Explanation:

Try some examples to see the pattern. If there is 1 ream, then there are #500*1=500# pages of paper. If there are 2 reams, then there are #500*2=1000# pages of paper. If there are 3 reams, then there are #500*3=1500# pages of paper, etc...

You can also think in terms of appropriate units. The units for the 500 are "pages of paper per ream", while the units for #R# are "reams". When you multiply these quantities, the "reams" cancels out, leaving you with an answer in "pages of paper". For example:

#500\frac{\mbox{pages of paper}}{\mbox{ream}}\times 3\mbox{ reams}=1500\mbox{ pages of paper}#