This is the concept of algebra. Given that Holly has 30 pencils, the total number of pencils that Holly remained with after she gave her friends 6 pencils are: Total=30-6=24 pencils The fraction of pencils that need to be sharpened is 3/8 The number of pencils represented by this fraction will be: (fraction of un-sharpened pencils)×(total number of remaining pencils) 3/8×24 =9 pencils therefore we conclude that 9 pencils are not sharpened.