$1 = £0.80. Change £36 to dollars.

Step by step

The question

Question: change £36 to dollars, when $1 = £0.80.

1 Write the rate

The rate says: 1 dollar is worth 0.80 pounds.

From dollars to pounds, we multiply by 0.80.

Going back, we divide by 0.80.

2 Divide by the rate

Each $1 gives £0.80.

So we find how many £0.80 fit in £36: we divide by 0.80.

Careful!

From pounds back to dollars goes the other way.

We divide, not multiply.

36 divided by 0.80 is $45.

To divide by 0.80, we move the point in both numbers 2 places: 3600 divided by 80.

So £36 is $45.

3 Check

Let's check: change the answer back.

$45 times 0.80 is £36.

That is what we started with.

So the answer is right!

Let's look back.

First: write the rate.

Then: divide by the rate.

Last: check.