SOLUTION: Walt counted all animals at the circus. 1/2 were horses; 1/4 big cats; 1/8th elephants; 1/16 camels & 8 monkeys How many animals altogether & how many in each group? X=tot

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Question 425703: Walt counted all animals at the circus.
1/2 were horses; 1/4 big cats; 1/8th elephants; 1/16 camels & 8 monkeys
How many animals altogether & how many in each group?
X=total animals
X = 1/2x + 1/4X + 1/8x + 1/16x + 8
X = 16/32x + 8/32x + 4/32x + 2/32x + 8
X = 30/32x + 8
????
Found 2 solutions by stanbon, AnlytcPhil:
Answer by stanbon(75887)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Walt counted all animals at the circus.
1/2 were horses; 1/4 big cats; 1/8th elephants; 1/16 camels & 8 monkeys
How many animals altogether & how many in each group?
--------
Let X=total animals
X = (1/2)x + (1/4)X + (1/8)x + (1/16)x + 8
X = 16/32x + 8/32x + 4/32x + 2/32x + 8
X = 30/32x + 8
---
(32/32)x = (30/32)x + 8
(2/32)x = 8
(1/32)x = 4
x = 32*4
x = 128 (Total # of animals)
================================
Cheers,
Stan H.
=============
Answer by AnlytcPhil(1806)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!


Although it is possible to do the problem entirely with
fractions leaving them as they are, as you were doing and as the
other tutor completed in that fashion, it is much easier to clear
of fractions in the beginning.

What you should do first with any equation that contains fractions
is to get rid of them by multiplying through by the LCD



The LCD = 16. So next multiply every term by :
 








Edwin
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