Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces (ALEKS) Basic Math Placement Practice Test

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Get ready for the ALEKS Basic Math Placement Test. Study with interactive quizzes and detailed explanations. Prepare to excel!

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To solve a fraction word problem, what equation format should you use?

Amount = fraction x cost
Cost = fraction + amount
Amount = cost / fraction
Fraction = amount - cost

The correct answer is: Amount = fraction x cost

Using the equation format "Amount = fraction x cost" is appropriate for solving fraction word problems because it effectively represents the relationship between the parts and the whole. In many fraction-based scenarios, you are often trying to find a portion (Amount) of a total (Cost) based on a given fraction. In this equation, the "fraction" indicates what part of the total "cost" you are interested in. For example, if a problem states that a student receives a discount on a purchase represented as a fraction of the total price, you would multiply the total cost by that fraction to find out how much the discount amounts to. This approach allows you to calculate the exact value represented by the fraction in relation to the total cost, making it a clear and straightforward method for solving these types of word problems. Other equation formats may not capture the relationship in the same way. For instance, adding or subtracting fractions and cost, as suggested in other choices, would not apply logically to most scenarios where you're determining a part of a whole.