volume_mute

Traffic Fines

publish date: 2023/12/05 09:50:00 UTC

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For speeding in a construction zone, a motorist had to pay a fine of $592. The violation occurred on a highway posted with signs like the one shown on the right.  What would the fine have been if such signs were not posted?

$

Correct Answer

(1) 296

Explanation

Analyze

  • For speeding, the motorist was fined $592 (Given)
  • The fine was double what it would normally have been (Given)
  • What would the fine have been, had the sign not been posted? (Find)

Form

We can let ƒ = the amount that the fine would normally have been.  To form an equation, we look for a key word or phrase in the problem or analysis

Key word: double

Translation: multiply by 2

Now we translate the word of the problem into an equation

  • (Two) times (the normal speeding fine) is (the new fine)
  • 2 · ƒ = 592

Solve

  • We need to isolate ƒ on the left side
    • 2ƒ = 592
  • To isolate ƒ, divide both sides by 2 to undo the multiplication by 2
    • \(\frac{2ƒ}{2} = \frac{592}{2}\)
  • Do the division
    • ƒ = 296

State

The fine would normally have been $296

Check

If the normal fine was $296, and we double it, we should get the new fine

The result, $296, checks

Reference

Mathematics for college students

Quizzes you can take where this question appears