Question

A girl asks her father how many ties he has and he answers with a riddle: "Seven-eighths of my ties plus five." How many ties does her father have?

Answer 1

This doesn't make sense. I think you left something out.

Answer 2

He has x ties.
He says he has 7/8 x + 5 ties
That means x = 7/8 x + 5
Solve the equation for x.

Answer 3

x = 7/8 x + 5

Subtract 7/8 x from both sides:

x - 7/8 x = 5

8/8 x - 7/8 x = 5

1/8 x = 5

x = 40