# Dimensions Problem

• Oct 31st 2012, 07:33 PM
GKC
Dimensions Problem
First I want to say that I must apologize if this problem is in the incorrect part of the board. I honestly could not figure out what area this problem would fall under.

If anyone read my intro a good while back, I'm in college and have to take basic college mathematics before I can get to core classes because I chose to pay literally no attention to class when I was in high school. Anyways this was the one problem I got incorrect on my Math midterm. I realized that the way to solve this was SO easy, but I decided to post this so I can get some feedback on whether I did it correctly (I'm positive this time that I did) and also to give my first attempt at the Latex thing.

Anyways the word problem goes as such.

"A frame that is 18 inches by 24 inches has a mat in it that is 2 1/4 inches all around. What are the dimensions of the picture within the mat?"
I took a photo of the picture, I hope the quality is decent enough.

Attachment 25499

So...

Code:

2 1/4 + 2 1/4 = 4.5 18 - 4.5 = 13.5 24 - 4.5 = 19.5
thus the answer is 13.5 by 19.5

What say you?
• Oct 31st 2012, 07:34 PM
GKC
Re: Dimensions Problem
Hm, if anyone would also be so kind as to possibly critique the way I wrote out the formula so I know how the latex should have been set up?

Thanks in advance for any consideration guys :)
• Oct 31st 2012, 07:51 PM
MarkFL
Re: Dimensions Problem
You did well with the problem, although some instructors may want units with the numbers, inches in this case.

To use LaTeX, enclose your code within the TEX tags, which you can generate using the sigma button.
• Oct 31st 2012, 07:55 PM
GKC
Re: Dimensions Problem
So like this?

$2 1/4 + 2 1/4 = 4.5

18 - 4.5 = 13.5

24 - 4.5 = 19.5$

Answer is $19.5" by 13.5"$

Edit:1 It would appear there are still some kinks in latex for me to figure out. let me try it this way.
$

2 1/4 + 2 1/4 = 4.5$
$18 - 4.5 = 13.5$ $24 - 4.5 = 19.5$

Edit: 2 how do I make it actually look like a fraction?
• Oct 31st 2012, 08:00 PM
MarkFL
Re: Dimensions Problem
You have the right idea, for 2 1/4 you may wish to use the code 2\frac{1}{4}. I'm not sure where the < br/ > symbols are coming from.
• Oct 31st 2012, 08:07 PM
GKC
Re: Dimensions Problem
$2\frac{1}{4} + 2\frac{1}{4} = 4.5
18 - 4.5 = 13.5
24 - 4.5 = 19.5$

$2\frac{1}{4} + 2\frac{1}{4} = 4.5 18 - 4.5 = 13.5 24 - 4.5 = 19.5$

Well I got the weird b symbols to go away by keeping the equation in one long line rather than giving them their own lines like such

1
2
3

however, doesn't it seem a bit sloppy this way?

It might be best if there is actually a latex tutorial somewhere on this site? I would hate to waste your time with this stuff.
• Oct 31st 2012, 08:16 PM
MarkFL
Re: Dimensions Problem
There is a forum here dedicated to using LaTeX, and there are many tutorials online, just do a search on it.

I usually enclose each equation or expression separately, rather than inserting carriage returns within the tags.
• Oct 31st 2012, 08:19 PM
GKC
Re: Dimensions Problem
Dear Lord lol, how did I not notice that forum? lol, thanks for all the help.
• Oct 31st 2012, 08:32 PM
MarkFL
Re: Dimensions Problem
Glad to be of assistance! :)