Calculating the Cost of Fabric

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 34 views

Calculating Total Expenses: A Math Problem

In this article, we will delve into a real-world math problem that involves calculating total expenses. Michelle buys $2 \frac{1}{2}$ yards of fabric and 3 rolls of ribbon. The fabric costs $\$7.00$ per yard, and each roll of ribbon costs $\$2.50$ . We will use mathematical concepts to determine how much money Michelle spends.

Understanding the Problem

To solve this problem, we need to understand the given information and the mathematical operations involved. Michelle buys two and a half yards of fabric and three rolls of ribbon. The cost of fabric is $\$7.00$ per yard, and the cost of each roll of ribbon is $\$2.50$ . We need to calculate the total cost of fabric and the total cost of ribbon, and then add these two amounts to find the total expenses.

Calculating the Cost of Fabric

The cost of fabric is calculated by multiplying the number of yards of fabric by the cost per yard. Since Michelle buys $2 \frac{1}{2}$ yards of fabric, we need to convert this mixed number to an improper fraction or a decimal. Let's convert $2 \frac{1}{2}$ to a decimal.

$2 \frac{1}{2} = 2 + \frac{1}{2} = 2 + 0.5 = 2.5$

Now that we have the decimal equivalent of $2 \frac{1}{2}$ , we can calculate the cost of fabric.

Cost of fabric = Number of yards of fabric x Cost per yard = 2.5 x $\$7.00$ = $\$17.50$

Calculating the Cost of Ribbon

The cost of ribbon is calculated by multiplying the number of rolls of ribbon by the cost per roll. Since Michelle buys three rolls of ribbon, we can calculate the cost of ribbon as follows:

Cost of ribbon = Number of rolls of ribbon x Cost per roll = 3 x $\$2.50$ = $\$7.50$

Calculating Total Expenses

Now that we have calculated the cost of fabric and the cost of ribbon, we can add these two amounts to find the total expenses.

Total expenses = Cost of fabric + Cost of ribbon = $\$17.50$ + $\$7.50$ = $\$25.00$

Therefore, Michelle spends $\$25.00$ in total.

Conclusion

In this article, we used mathematical concepts to calculate the total expenses of Michelle. We converted a mixed number to a decimal, calculated the cost of fabric and ribbon, and added these two amounts to find the total expenses. This problem demonstrates the importance of mathematical operations in real-world scenarios.

Real-World Applications

This problem has real-world applications in various fields, such as finance, business, and economics. Understanding mathematical concepts and operations is essential in making informed decisions and calculating total expenses.

Tips and Tricks

When dealing with mixed numbers, convert them to decimals or improper fractions to make calculations easier.
Use mathematical operations, such as multiplication and addition, to calculate total expenses.
Always check your calculations to ensure accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the cost of fabric per yard? A: The cost of fabric per yard is $\$7.00$ .
Q: What is the cost of each roll of ribbon? A: The cost of each roll of ribbon is $\$2.50$ .
Q: What is the total expenses of Michelle? A: The total expenses of Michelle is $\$25.00$ .
Frequently Asked Questions: Calculating Total Expenses

In our previous article, we explored a real-world math problem that involved calculating total expenses. Michelle buys $2 \frac{1}{2}$ yards of fabric and 3 rolls of ribbon. The fabric costs $\$7.00$ per yard, and each roll of ribbon costs $\$2.50$ . We used mathematical concepts to determine how much money Michelle spends. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions related to this problem.

Q: What is the cost of fabric per yard?

A: The cost of fabric per yard is $\$7.00$ .

Q: What is the cost of each roll of ribbon?

A: The cost of each roll of ribbon is $\$2.50$ .

Q: How do I convert a mixed number to a decimal?

A: To convert a mixed number to a decimal, you need to add the whole number part to the fractional part. For example, $2 \frac{1}{2}$ can be converted to a decimal as follows:

$2 \frac{1}{2} = 2 + \frac{1}{2} = 2 + 0.5 = 2.5$

Q: How do I calculate the cost of fabric?

A: To calculate the cost of fabric, you need to multiply the number of yards of fabric by the cost per yard. For example, if Michelle buys $2 \frac{1}{2}$ yards of fabric and the cost per yard is $\$7.00$ , the cost of fabric can be calculated as follows:

Cost of fabric = Number of yards of fabric x Cost per yard = 2.5 x $\$7.00$ = $\$17.50$

Q: How do I calculate the cost of ribbon?

A: To calculate the cost of ribbon, you need to multiply the number of rolls of ribbon by the cost per roll. For example, if Michelle buys 3 rolls of ribbon and the cost per roll is $\$2.50$ , the cost of ribbon can be calculated as follows:

Cost of ribbon = Number of rolls of ribbon x Cost per roll = 3 x $\$2.50$ = $\$7.50$

Q: How do I calculate total expenses?

A: To calculate total expenses, you need to add the cost of fabric and the cost of ribbon. For example, if the cost of fabric is $\$17.50$ and the cost of ribbon is $\$7.50$ , the total expenses can be calculated as follows:

Total expenses = Cost of fabric + Cost of ribbon = $\$17.50$ + $\$7.50$ = $\$25.00$

Q: What is the total expenses of Michelle?

A: The total expenses of Michelle is $\$25.00$ .

Q: What are some real-world applications of this problem?

A: This problem has real-world applications in various fields, such as finance, business, and economics. Understanding mathematical concepts and operations is essential in making informed decisions and calculating total expenses.

Q: What are some tips and tricks for dealing with mixed numbers?

A: When dealing with mixed numbers, convert them to decimals or improper fractions to make calculations easier. Use mathematical operations, such as multiplication and addition, to calculate total expenses. Always check your calculations to ensure accuracy.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when calculating total expenses?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when calculating total expenses include:

Not converting mixed numbers to decimals or improper fractions
Not using mathematical operations, such as multiplication and addition
Not checking calculations for accuracy

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure that your calculations are accurate and reliable.

Conclusion

In this article, we answered some frequently asked questions related to calculating total expenses. We covered topics such as converting mixed numbers to decimals, calculating the cost of fabric and ribbon, and calculating total expenses. We also provided some tips and tricks for dealing with mixed numbers and avoiding common mistakes. By understanding these concepts and operations, you can make informed decisions and calculate total expenses with confidence.