Reverse Plugging In: Basic Technique

Jane traveled three times as many miles on day 1 as she traveled on day 2. On day 3, she traveled half as many miles as she traveled on day 1. If Jane traveled a total of 550 miles, how many miles did she travel on day 3?

Incorrect. [[snippet]] If Jane traveled 225 miles on day 3, she traveled 450 ($$225 \times 2$$) miles on day 1 and 150 ($$\frac{450}{3}$$) miles on day 2. Since the total miles traveled on three days exceeds 550, you should eliminate 225, 250, and 300, and work with a number smaller than 225.

Incorrect. [[snippet]]

Incorrect. [[snippet]]

Correct. [[snippet]] If Jane traveled 150 miles on day 3, then she traveled 300 $$\left(150 \times 2\right)$$ miles on day 1 and 100 ($$\frac{300}{3}$$) miles on day 2. Since the total miles traveled on three days equals 550 $$(150 + 300 + 100)$$, this is the correct answer.

Incorrect. [[snippet]]

100

150

225

250

300