If 1/3 of a number is 1/4, what is 1/2 of the number?

Question

Wanting to find a number. 

Answer 1

Let x = the number

 

Now, you may first find x then find (1/2)x;  or, you could immediately find (1/2)x  [since the problem really doesn't ask you to find the value of x].

 

In word (story) problems, the word "of" usually means multiply.

 

Find x:

  "1/3 of a number is 1/4"   means

       (1/3)x           = 1/4

            x         = (1/4)3             [multiply both sides by 3]

            x = 3/4

      "What is (1/2)x?"   means

           (1/2)x = (1/2)(3/4)

           (1/2)x = 3/8

      Half of x is 3/8.

 

Immediately find (1/2)x:

  "1/3 of a number is 1/4"   means
       (1/3)x           = 1/4

    "What is (1/2)x?"

        (1/2)x = (3/2)(1/3)x = (3/2)(1/4)

        (1/2)x = 3/8