Percentage of a fraction

Question

John and Mary had 480 marbles together. If 1/6 of John's marble is the same with 1/4 of Mary's marbles, what is the percentage of John's marbles?

Answer 1

Let j = number of John's marbles

Let m = number of Mary's marbles

 

j + m = 480

 

j/6 = m/4

cross multiply

6m = 4j

m = 2j/3

 

j + 2j/3 = 480

5j/3 = 480

j = 480(3/5)

j = 288

 

John has 288 marbles

 

288 + m = 480

m = 192

 

Mary has 192 marbles

 

Of course, your question actually asked "What is the percentage of John's marbles?"

 

288 = (x/100)(480)

x = 288(100)/480

x = 60%

 

John has 60% of the total marbles