Question

In an asteroid field, 75% of the asteroids are carbonaceous asteroids. There are 375,000 carbonaceous asteroids in the asteroid field. How many asteroids are not carbonaceous? Asteroids are not carbonaceous.

Answer 1

Given:

In an asteroid field, 75% of the asteroids are carbonaceous asteroids.

There are 375,000 carbonaceous asteroids in the asteroid field.

To find:

The number of asteroids that are not carbonaceous.

Solution:

Let the total number of asteroids be x.

According to question,

$75\%\text{ of }x = 375000$

$\dfrac{75}{100}x=375000$

$0.75x=375000$

Divide both sides by 0.75.

$x=\dfrac{375000}{0.75}$

$x=500000$

Asteroids not carbonaceous = Total asteroids - Carbonaceous asteroids

                                                $=500000-375000$

                                                $=125000$

Therefore, 125,000 asteroids are not carbonaceous.