Fraction Word problem?

Question

On their vacation the Reikos spent 1/4 of their money on gas, 1/4 on food and lodging,and 1/8 on tourist attractions. What fraction of their money did they spend? If they started with $840 how much did they have left? 

Answer 1

1) First you need to find out how much of their money they spent and you do this by adding the fractions together,

 

                               1/4 (gas) + 1/4 (food) + 1/8 (tourist attractions) = ?

 

All of the fractions need to be turned into 8ths so you can add them together because 8 is the common denominator of 4 and 8.  You change the fractions to 8ths by doing this:

 

                              1  x 2  = 2

                              4     2     8

 

So then you rewrite your problem like this:

 

                              2/8 (gas) +2/8 (food) + 1/8 (tourist attractions) = 5/8 

 

2) Then you need to divide the amount of money they started with by 8 to find out what what amount is equal to 1/8.  

 

                                  $840 ÷ 8 = $105      

 

1/8 of $840 is $105, so then you need to multiply $105 x 5 to find out what 5/8ths of their money is.

 

                                 $105 x 5 = $525

 

Then subtract $525 from $840 to find out how much money they have left.

 

                                 $840 - $525 = $315

 

3) Answer: The Reikos have $315 left from their vacation.