Question

Sonja has 1/6 fiction books, 1/3 nature books, and 12 mystery books. How many books does she have in all?

Answer 1

hmmm, there is some missing information here I think

Answer 2

That is what I thought too...I was trying to help my cousin, but that is all the information that was on their worksheet.

Answer 3

well, maybe not.

Answer 4

ok so let's set this up

Answer 5

if the total number of books is X, then we know that 1/6x are fiction, 1/3x are nature, and 12 are mystery

Answer 6

so 1/6x + 1/3x + 12 = X

Answer 7

so 12 = x - 1/6x - 1/3x
or 12 = 1/2x
so x = 12/.5 = 24

Answer 8

so the total number of books is 24, and precisely 12 mystery, 4 fiction and 8 nature

Answer 9

Thanks!!

Answer 10

no problem! the key assumption is that , that's all the types of books there are

Answer 11

the reason it works is they basically tell you that half the books are mystery , since if 1 - 1/3 - 1/6 = 1/2

Answer 12

good luck!