What does the expression "50 is increased by a factor of 2" imply mathematically?

What does the expression "50 is increased by a factor of 2" imply mathematically?

• A. The final value is 50 + 2
• B. The final value is 50 x 2
• C. The final value is 100 + 50
• D. The final value is 50 + (50 x 2)

Answer: (B)

The expression "50 is increased by a factor of 2" mathematically means that you multiply the original value, which is 50, by 2. This can be represented as: Final Value = 50 x 2 So, when you perform the multiplication, the calculation shows that the final value is 100. This interpretation is based on the conventional understanding of "increased by a factor of," which indicates a multiplication of the original quantity by that factor, rather than adding a constant value or other operations. Each of the other options either implies a different operation or a combination of operations that do not accurately reflect what it means to increase by a factor of something.

The expression "50 is increased by a factor of 2" mathematically means that you multiply the original value, which is 50, by 2. This can be represented as:

Final Value = 50 x 2

So, when you perform the multiplication, the calculation shows that the final value is 100.

This interpretation is based on the conventional understanding of "increased by a factor of," which indicates a multiplication of the original quantity by that factor, rather than adding a constant value or other operations. Each of the other options either implies a different operation or a combination of operations that do not accurately reflect what it means to increase by a factor of something.