Word problem

Question

Mr Thomas spent $1600 of his savings on a television set and 2/5 of the remainder on a refrigerator. He had 1/3 of his original amount left over. What was his original savings?

Answer 1

let x=original savings

(x-1600)-(2/5)(x-1600)=(1/3)x

x-1600-(2/5)x+640=(1/3)x

(3/5)x-960=(1/3)x

(3/5)x-(1/3)x=960

(4/15)x=960

(15/4)(4/15)x=(15/4)(960)

x=15*240  (960/4=240)

x=$3600 is his original savings

check: $3600-$1600=$2000, (2/5)($2000)=$800, $2000-$800=$1200 left over

(1/3)($3600)=$1200 left over