Question

Please help me solve this problem.

Answer 1

Let

x-------> total peanuts originally from the bag

we know that

1) Phillip took 1/3 of the peanuts from the bag--------> (1/3)*x

remaining=x-(1/3)*x-------> (2/3)*x

2) Joy took 1/4 of the remaining peanuts-------> (1/4)*[(2/3)*x]----> (1/6)*x

remaining= (2/3)*x-(1/6)*x------> (1/2)*x

3) Brett took 1/2 of the remaining peanuts------> (1/2)*(1/2)*x-----> (1/4)*x

remaining= (1/2)*x-(1/4)*x-------> (1/4)*x

4) Preston took 10 peanuts------> 10

(1/4)*x-10=71----> multiply by 4 both sides----> x-40=284----> x=324 peanuts

5) Total originally peanuts from the bag is equal to 324 peanuts

6) Phillip took (1/3)*x-----> (1/3)*324=108 peanuts

7) Joy took (1/6)*x------> (1/6)*324=54 peanuts

8) Brett took (1/4)*x------> (1/4)*324=81 peanuts

9) Preston took 10

so

check

108+54+81+10=253

remaining=324-253------> remaining=71-------> is correct