Dwayne S.

asked • 09/04/17

Help solving an equation.

A company gave a recent survey to its employees regarding its current benefits plan. 3 out of 16 employees preferred the current plan. 5 out of 8 preferred a different plan. A total of 150 employees did not have a preference for either plan. How many employees preferred the current plan? Possible answers: 75, 150, 200, 225, 300

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Mark M. answered • 09/04/17

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5 / 8 = 10 / 16
3 / 16 + 10 / 16 = 13 / 16, had a preference
So 3 / 16 had no preference
e represents the number of employees
3e / 16 = 150
 
Can you solve for e and answer?
 
Note: I did not get one of the options. None of the possible answers is divisible by 16 making it impossible for 3/16 to prefer current plan.
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Dwayne S.

I thought the answer would be 150 because 6 out of 16 did not prefer a different plan: 3 out of 16 preferred the current plan and 3 out of 16 did not have a preference. If we know that 150 employees did not have a preference, 6 out of 16 that prefer a different plan, and 3 out of 16 preferred the current plan, then it makes sense that 3 out of 16 did not have a preference. But you are right, the answers are not possible since none of them are divisible by 16. I was looking for an equation and it has been a while since I have been in school. A friend of mine was asked this question on a job test and wanted to know what I thought. Thanks for you help Mark.
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09/04/17

Dwayne S.

Could not figure out a way to edit my response to correct the grammar mistakes. Below is my response reposted.
 
I thought the answer would be 150 because 6 out of 16 did not prefer a different plan: 3 out of 16 preferred the current plan and 3 out of 16 did not have a preference. If we know that 150 employees did not have a preference, 6 out of 16 did not prefer a different plan, and 3 out of 16 preferred the current plan, then it makes sense that 3 out of 16 did not have a preference. But you are right, the answers are not possible since none of them are divisible by 16. I was looking for an equation and it has been a while since I have been in school. A friend of mine was asked this question on a job test and wanted to know what I thought. Thanks for you help Mark.
 
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09/04/17

Mark M.

Dwayne, you are welcome. 
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09/04/17

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