Question

There were 50 people at Pablo's picnic. A total of 3/5 of the people at the picnic played volleyball. How many people played volleyball at the picnic?

Answer 1

To solve for this, we need to set up proportional fractions.
We already have one fraction, 3/5, so this is much easier to solve.

We have a total of 50 people, so our fraction is x/50, since we are looking for how many played volleyball at the picnic.

3/5 played volleyball.

Our fractional proportions are:
3/5 = x/50

Cross-multiply the denominator (bottom number) of 3/5 by the numerator (top number) of x/50.
5x is the product.
Do the same with both fractions;
Cross-multiply the denominator of x/50 by the numerator of 3/5.
50x3 = 150 is the product.

Now set our products as an equation.

5x = 150

To solve for x, we need to divide by 5.

5x / 5 = x 
150 / 5 = 30

x = 30.

30 people played volleyball at the picnic.

I hope this helps!

Answer 2

So there are 50 people. Since 3/5 of them played volleyball divide 50 by 5. Now you have 10. Multiply 10 by 3 and you get 30. So 30 people played volleyball at the picnic. Hope that helps! :)