# Math Help - Firefighting test (maths)

1. ## Firefighting test (maths)

I'm trying to become a firefighter and in the one of the exam tests theres math question and i'm not very good at math because i didnt go to school (but you dont need to know abou that) I'm going to tell you a few of the questions and was wondering if you would be able to explain to me how i work out the answers.

QUESTIONS
1. 5(t – 32) = 5
2

2. 3(t + 35) = 35
6

3. 9(t x 16) = 144
5

4. 4t – 16 = 2
32
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QUESTIONS
1. Convert 0.7 to a fraction

2. Convert 2.5 to a fraction

3. Convert 3.75 to a fraction

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QUESTIONS
1. Convert "3 over 10" to a decimal

2. Convert "1 over 4" to a decimal

3. Convert "4 over 5" to a decimal

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I really dont understand these questions and if someone could take the time to explain to me i would do anything

2. Converting decimals to fractions:

Just put the decimal over the appropriate power of ten and simplify.
For example, with $0.5$ (five tenths) put 5 over 10, like so: $\frac{5}{10}$. Now we can simplify $\frac{5}{10}$ to $\frac{1}{2}$.
For $0.25$ (twenty-five hundredths), put 25 over 100: $\frac{25}{100}$. Now simplify $\frac{25}{100}$ to $\frac{1}{4}$.
If you have a larger number, like $1.7$ (one and seven tenths), use the same process, making an improper fraction (a larger number on top than on bottom). Put 17 over 10: $\frac{17}{10}$. This one can't be simplified further.

Converting fractions to decimals:

The first way to do this needs a power of ten in the denominator (bottom) of the fraction. With this method, just reverse the above process and put the number in the numerator (top) of the fraction to the right of the decimal.
For "7 over 10" or $\frac{7}{10}$ (seven tenths): $0.7$
For "29 over 100" or $\frac{29}{100}$ (twenty-nine hundredths): $0.29$

The other way is to, with a calculator or on paper, divide the first number (numerator) by the second (denominator).
With "3 over 6" or $\frac{3}{6}$, do 3 divided by 6 to get your answer (in this case, $0.5$).

As for the equations on the top, find an Algebra 1/Elementary Algebra/Beginning Algebra book and start working through it.
If you haven't done anything at all with linear equations before, then there are quite a few things you need to learn before you can start to solve equations like that.

3. hmmm..... could u explain further? still dont quite understand how you work it out.

4. Like I said, you need a good Algebra 1 textbook. There's way too much to it for me to explain it all here.

5. I hope you the best on your exam. As a math teacher, I hate if people lose opportunities because they don't have the math that they need to succeed, whatever the reasons. Which means I need to know where you are having issues.

There are several things going on in the problems you have put on this site. The first section deals with solving equations. These are different than the other two sections you have put on here. Section two you should search online for "decimal to a fraction". Section three try "fraction to a decimal". The word 'over' in the last of the sections is trying to show a dividing or fraction sign.

The first section, glossed over by me and the above posts, is the harder section. It expects you to know how to deal with "basic" equations--which means in math terms solving for an equation using multiplication, division, addition and subtraction.

I put the word 'basic' in quotes for a reason--mathematicians often think some things are so easy everyone understands them. But it's a lie:

start here: Solving Linear Equations: 'One-Step' Equations

MAKE SURE TO CLICK TO PAGE TWO AND THREE...

if you honestly searched through the suggestions above and are still having problems (a possibility i think might happen....), either post back here or PM me. I will try to find you more things that will help you.

I'm sorry I cannot find you direct and easy answers--the reason they ask you these questions is not to see if you have the easy answers but to see if you can find the solution to many different problems like the ones they ask. But let me know where else I can be of service and I'll do what I can to help you.

6. Yeah cheers mate I'll have a read at that and see what I learn! there still more maths i need to get better at that's in this test so once i've learned how to do these ill post them! cheers mate!