Math Is Fun Forum

jaycee

Member

Registered: 2010-01-27

Posts: 1

can someone help me with this please

Carnot's Efficiency = (1 - (460 / 1344)) x 100 =

I understand all of the steps from adding 273 to each number to convert to kelvan, to the division and multiplication, but the use of the 1 has me mystified. No matter what I do calculationwise i always get the wrong answer, and Im hoping someone here will be kind enough to help me understand what im missing doing. Im actually starting to understand alegebric equations, which for me is a first and I dont wanna stop now and get frustrated because of one lil step im not seeing.
                                                                       Thanks
                                                                                 Jaycee

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: can someone help me with this please

Hi jaycee;

If you want to evaluate this expression:

(1 - (460 / 1344)) x 100

Do the interior parentheses first:

460 / 1344 = 0.342261905 Now subtract that from 1

1 - 0.342261905 = 0.657738095 Now times by 100

0.657738095 * 100 = 65.7738095

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In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.