Equations: Who Is Correct? Jack, Tabitha, and Jodie each wrote an equation to represent the following situation. Martha has a group of rectangular prisms. Each rectangular prism has a volume of 128 cubic inches and a width of 4 inches. The table shows the relationship between each prism’s length, l, and its height, h. Length, l (inches)
Height, h (inches)
1
32
2
16
4
8
8
4
Write an equation that represents the relationship between the height, h, of a prism in inches and l, the length in inches. Jack’s Equation 128 = l•h 4 Is Jack’s equation correct? Justify your answer.
Tabitha’s Equation
Jodie’s Equation
128 ÷l 4 Is Tabitha’s equation correct? Justify your answer.
4 • 128 = h • l
h=
Is Jodie’s equation correct? Justify your answer.
Communicating about Mathematics What questions would you ask Jodie about her equation? Why?