Question

The EPA says the value of a human life is $7.6 million, measured from birth to death. If life expectancy is 78 years, what is the value of the remaining life of a 52-year old person?

Answer 1

The value would be $2.53 million.

Set up a proportion to solve this:

7.6/78 = x/(78-52)

[7.6 million for 78 years; x million for 78-52 years remaining]

Cross multiply:
7.6(78-52) = x*78
7.6(26) = 78x
197.6 = 78x

Divide both sides by 78:
197.6/78 = 78x/78
2.53 = x