Final answer:
The solution to the equation 16 x (18 x ....) = 23 x (16 x 18) is found by first calculating 16 x 18, dividing both sides by this product to isolate the unknown factor, and then dividing the result by 16. The closest answer with two significant figures is 1.5, which corresponds to option B.
Correct option is B. 1.5
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking how to solve an equation with an unknown multiplying factor in a parenthesis alongside a known product. The original equation is 16 X (18 X ....) = 23 x (16 X 18). We can simplify the equation by first calculating the known product, which is 16 X 18, and then dividing both sides of the equation by this product to find the unknown multiplying factor.
Step 1: Calculate 16 X 18 which gives 288.
Step 2: The equation becomes 16 x (18 x ....) = 23 x 288.
Step 3: Divide both sides by 288 to isolate the unknown factor:
(16 x (18 x ....)) / 288 = (23 x 288) / 288.
Step 4: Simplify the equation to 16 x .... = 23.
Step 5: Finally, divide both sides by 16 to find the unknown factor: .... = 23 / 16, which equals 1.4375.
None of the answer choices match this number exactly; however, if we are limited to two significant figures, as stated in the original question prompt, the closest answer would be option B, 1.5.