Question

At a concert 2/5 of the people were men, there were 3 times as many women as children. If there were 45 more men than children, how many people were there at the concert.

Answer 1

This involves creating some equations.

First, these are what the letters I used stand for:

c = children

w = women

m = men

x = total population

Then, we must make an equation for each statement.

2/5x = m (2/5 of the people are men)

3c = w (there are 3 times as many women than children)

45+c = m (there are 45 more men than children)

Now, let's start plugging in our numbers:

x = all the men, women, and children

2/5(m+w+c) = m

2/5 (45+c +3c + c) = m     [Now simplify]

2/5 (45 + 5x) = m       [Now Distribute]

2/5(45) + (2/5)(5x) = m

2c + 18 = m    [Above we stated that there were the same amount as men as c +45]

2c + 18 = 45 +c     [Now set equal to c]

2c (-c) +18 = 45 +c (-c)

c+18 (-18) = 45 (-18)

c = 27

Now that we know that there was 27 children, we can plug 27 in for c in the other equations.

MEN = 27 + 45

WOMEN = 3(27)

CHILDREN = 27

Now add those three answers to find your total!