Word Problem

Question

Helen went shopping today. She spent 1/2 of her money on a dress, and 2/5 of the remaining money on a T-shirt. She then spent 1/3 of the money that was left for lunch. After that,she had $16 left.How much money did she have before she went shopping?

Answer 1

You work problems like this backwards.

She spent 1/3 of the money and had $16 left

(1 - 1/3) x = 16

2/3 x = 16

x = 16 / (2/3) = 16 * 3/2 = 24

Working similarly,

(1 - 2/5) x = 24

3/5 x = 24

x = 24/(3/5) = 24 * 5/3 = 40

(1 - 1/2) x = 40

1/2 x = 40

x = 40 / (1/2) = 40 * 2/1 = 80