Not considering the exchange rate

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 118 views

Introduction

Currency exchange rates play a crucial role in international trade and commerce. Understanding how to convert currency rates is essential for making informed decisions when buying or selling goods and services across borders. In this article, we will explore how to convert currency rates using the given exchange rates and apply mathematical concepts to solve a real-world problem.

Given Exchange Rates

On February 17, the following exchange rates applied:

$1 = R18.42
£1 = R23.26

Problem Statement

Lesego wanted to buy a cellphone online and found that it cost $180 in America. A store in England sells the same cellphone at £150. We need to determine the cost of the cellphone in South African Rands (R) using the given exchange rates.

Step 1: Convert $180 to R

To convert $180 to R, we need to multiply the amount in dollars by the exchange rate of $1 to R.

$180 \times \frac{R18.42}{$1} = R3294.60

Step 2: Convert £150 to R

To convert £150 to R, we need to multiply the amount in pounds by the exchange rate of £1 to R.

£150 \times \frac{R23.26}{£1} = R3489.00

Comparison of Prices

Now that we have converted both prices to R, we can compare them to determine which option is cheaper.

Price	Currency	Exchange Rate	Converted Price
$180	USD	$1 = R18.42	R3294.60
£150	GBP	£1 = R23.26	R3489.00

Conclusion

Based on the calculations, we can see that the cellphone costs R3294.60 in South African Rands when bought from America, while it costs R3489.00 when bought from England. Therefore, the cheaper option is to buy the cellphone from America.

Mathematical Concepts

This problem involves the application of mathematical concepts such as:

Conversion of units: We converted the currency rates from dollars to rands and pounds to rands.
Multiplication: We multiplied the amount in dollars or pounds by the exchange rate to get the converted price.
Comparison: We compared the converted prices to determine which option is cheaper.

Real-World Applications

Understanding how to convert currency rates is essential in real-world scenarios such as:

International trade: Businesses need to convert currency rates to determine the cost of goods and services across borders.
Travel: Individuals need to convert currency rates to determine the cost of goods and services while traveling abroad.
Investments: Investors need to convert currency rates to determine the value of their investments in different currencies.

Conclusion

Q&A: Converting Currency Rates

Q: What is the exchange rate between the US dollar and the South African rand? A: The exchange rate between the US dollar and the South African rand is $1 = R18.42.

Q: How do I convert $180 to R using the exchange rate? A: To convert $180 to R, you need to multiply the amount in dollars by the exchange rate of $1 to R. The calculation is:

$180 \times \frac{R18.42}{$1} = R3294.60

Q: What is the exchange rate between the British pound and the South African rand? A: The exchange rate between the British pound and the South African rand is £1 = R23.26.

Q: How do I convert £150 to R using the exchange rate? A: To convert £150 to R, you need to multiply the amount in pounds by the exchange rate of £1 to R. The calculation is:

£150 \times \frac{R23.26}{£1} = R3489.00

Q: Which option is cheaper, buying the cellphone from America or England? A: Based on the calculations, we can see that the cellphone costs R3294.60 in South African Rands when bought from America, while it costs R3489.00 when bought from England. Therefore, the cheaper option is to buy the cellphone from America.

Q: What are some real-world applications of converting currency rates? A: Understanding how to convert currency rates is essential in real-world scenarios such as:

International trade: Businesses need to convert currency rates to determine the cost of goods and services across borders.
Travel: Individuals need to convert currency rates to determine the cost of goods and services while traveling abroad.
Investments: Investors need to convert currency rates to determine the value of their investments in different currencies.

Q: What mathematical concepts are involved in converting currency rates? A: The mathematical concepts involved in converting currency rates include:

Conversion of units: We converted the currency rates from dollars to rands and pounds to rands.
Multiplication: We multiplied the amount in dollars or pounds by the exchange rate to get the converted price.
Comparison: We compared the converted prices to determine which option is cheaper.

Q: How can I use this knowledge in my daily life? A: Understanding how to convert currency rates can help you make informed decisions when buying or selling goods and services across borders. It can also help you navigate international trade, travel, and investments.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when converting currency rates? A: Some common mistakes to avoid when converting currency rates include:

Not considering the exchange rate: Failing to consider the exchange rate can lead to incorrect calculations and poor decision-making.
Not accounting for fees: Failing to account for fees such as transaction fees and exchange rate fees can lead to additional costs.
Not using up-to-date exchange rates: Using outdated exchange rates can lead to incorrect calculations and poor decision-making.

Conclusion

In conclusion, converting currency rates is a crucial mathematical concept that is essential in real-world scenarios. By understanding how to convert currency rates, you can make informed decisions when buying or selling goods and services across borders.