Yet another Maths question...

[kaytee1916]

Hi Everyone,

I would appreciate it anyone can elaborate on how the answer to the question below was arrived at:

Ben & Emma each start to grow a plant on same day. After 1 week both plants are 5cm tall. During the next 3 weeks Ben’s plant grows 'f' cm per week and Emma’s 'g' cm per week
Emma’s plant is taller.
When the plants are 4 weeks old how much taller is Emma’s plant taller than Ben’s in cm?
The answer: 3(g-f)

Also, would anyone know the formula for the area of a hexagon? Q48, Test 3 of GL assessment Maths Pack 1 refers.

As always, any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

[no_ball]

After four weeks ben plant is 5+3g
After four weeks Emma plant is 5+3f

If Emma plant is bigger then...

(5+3f)-(5+3g)

Open up brackets

5+3f-5-3G

3f-3g

3(f-g)

QED...

[no_ball]

Area of regular hexagon is also sum total area of 6 equilateral triangles...

[kaytee1916]

It all makes sense now. Many thanks, no_ball

[no_ball]

The trick is to break down the question into base level. Makes more sense after that.