Module 2 Final Challenge Problem 16

[victorioussheep]

In Problem 16, there is a variable "a" which have no definition to it, what does the "a" mean?

[quacker88]

@victorioussheep You're talking about this question, right?

First off, let's consider what the question is asking. We have two circles with two different radii, $R$ and $r$. We want to find the values of $R$ and $r$. However, the question doesn't ask for specifically, $R$ and $r$. It's asking that for SOME value $a$, $R=ar$.

For example, if $R$ is twice as long as $r$, $R=2r$. This would mean that $a=2$. If $R$ is three times as long as $r$, $R=3r$. This means $a=3$. I'm just using fake numbers right now, try the problem and see what you actually get. It might not be a nice, clean integer (could be a fraction!)

Hope this makes sense, if not, feel free to ask!

One last thing-- here's another way to think about the problem: we're trying to find $a$, and $R=ar$, then $\frac{R}{r}=a$. In other words, $a$ is just the ratio of the bigger radius to the smaller radius! See if that helps

[victorioussheep]

@quacker88 Oh, since I didn't see any variable of "a" except for the R=ar.......But now I knows it