At a certain factory 5/8 of the workers are married and 3/4 are at least 40 years old. If 1/4 of the married workers are younger than 40, what fraction of the workers are not married?
I really don't need the answer, I need the best possible way to solve it without spending to much time on it, please help me out... I always take the long way... I basically need ideas on how to approach this kind of questions in an effective and less time consuming way... Thx.
2007-03-01 02:59:54 · 7 answers · asked by Nif 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
It doesn't matter how many workers are older or younger than 40.
That has nothing to do with the question you need to answer.
Look at what you need to find out, then use only the facts in the question that are relevant - sometimes extra details are there only to distract you!
It says 5/8 of the workers are married.
The number not married would then be
1 - (5/8) = (8/8) - (5/8) = 3/8
Hope that helps ;)
2007-03-01 03:04:00 · answer #1 · answered by MamaMia © 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This seems to me to be a trick question. The opening statement states that 5/8 of the workers are married. The actual question is what fraction aren't married. To find the answer you only have to subtract the married workers from the total number of the workers. Since it is a fractional problem the total amount of workers is 1, so 1- 5/8=3/8 and that is the answer. The trick is that they give you more info than you need to solve the problem and it confuses you when you read the problem.
2007-03-01 11:10:09 · answer #2 · answered by J Funk 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A good way to approach problems like this is by writing down all the information you are given and what you need to find for the answer. So we might write something like this:
5/8 workers married
3/4 workers 40+ years
1/4 married 40-
What fraction of theworkers are NOT married?
By looking at the question we know the only information we need is how many are married. There is only one statement about the fraction of workers married and the rest is unnecessary information so just cross it out on your paper. Then use the necessary information to solve your problem. This is a good way to simplify confusing paragraphs.
2007-03-01 11:30:55 · answer #3 · answered by Magister 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
oh wow. I didnt even do anything. look at the question. " What fraction of the workers are not worried" Look at the first sentence. "5/8 of the workers are married" The question doesnt ask anything about age. So the answer is 3/8
2007-03-01 11:05:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to the problem 5/8 are married. 3/8 should be not married. Trick question...? Or it was worded wrong?
2007-03-01 11:06:36 · answer #5 · answered by b_ney26 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
3/8...age has nothing to do with the question, so don't mix up your mind with all the given information. (5/8 + 3/8 = 1)
Am i right? lol
2007-03-01 11:10:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
use a venn diagram. the more they look like testicles, the better off you are
2007-03-01 11:13:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋