SOLUTION: If 1/2 the area of a garden is vegetable plants and 1/4 the total area is tomatoes, how much of the area is tomatoes? My teacher said the answer is 1/8. I can not figure out how s

Algebra ->  Percentage-and-ratio-word-problems -> SOLUTION: If 1/2 the area of a garden is vegetable plants and 1/4 the total area is tomatoes, how much of the area is tomatoes? My teacher said the answer is 1/8. I can not figure out how s      Log On


   

Question 190030: If 1/2 the area of a garden is vegetable plants and 1/4 the total area is tomatoes, how much of the area is tomatoes? My teacher said the answer is 1/8. I can not figure out how she got it.
Found 2 solutions by vleith, schrammbledeggs:
Answer by vleith(2983) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
This is a very poorly worded problem. For the answer to be 1/8, the problem should read :
If 1/2 the area of a garden is vegetable plants and 1/4 the vegetable garden is tomatoes, how much of the area is tomatoes? In that case, the answer would be "1/4 of 1/2" = 1/4 * 1/2 = 1/8
As it reads now, I would say the 1/4 of the area is tomato since "1/4 the total area is tomatoes, how much of the area is tomatoes?"

Answer by schrammbledeggs(41) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
I think I understand now:
I believe that the question is saying that 1/4 of the vegetable plants area is tomatoes...and since 1/2 of the garden is vegetable plants...then to find out how much of the ENTIRE garden is tomatoes you need to multiply 1/4 by 1/2...which is 1/8. I hope that helped. That question is worded poorly so don't feel bad.