SOLUTION: I have a story question that is really bugging me and my family. If you can help it would be much appreciated. Raymond purchased a box of candy. On the way back from the store he

Algebra ->  Numeric Fractions Calculators, Lesson and Practice -> SOLUTION: I have a story question that is really bugging me and my family. If you can help it would be much appreciated. Raymond purchased a box of candy. On the way back from the store he       Log On


   



Question 227742: I have a story question that is really bugging me and my family. If you can help it would be much appreciated.
Raymond purchased a box of candy. On the way back from the store he ate 1/4 of the candy. As he was putting away the groceries he ate 1/2 of what was left. There are now six chocolates left in the box. How many chocolates were in the box to begin with.Please show your work.
so far this is what ive done.
6/1 divided by 1/4 equals 12/1 from here im stuck. the equation i came up with looks like this:x-1/4=12
i cant figure it out whether i do multiply,divide,add or subtract nothing seems to fit

Found 2 solutions by stanbon, ankor@dixie-net.com:
Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Raymond purchased a box of candy.
# = x
-----------
On the way back from the store he ate 1/4 of the candy.
# remaining is (3/4)x
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As he was putting away the groceries he ate 1/2 of what was left.
# remaining is (1/2)(3/4)x= (3/8)x
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There are now six chocolates left in the box.
Equation:
(3/8)x = 6
x = 6(8/3) = 2*8 = 16
----------------------------


How many chocolates were in the box to begin with.
x = 16
================================
Cheers,
Stan H.

Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Raymond purchased a box of candy. On the way back from the store he ate 1/4 of the candy.
As he was putting away the groceries he ate 1/2 of what was left. There are now six chocolates left in the box.
How many chocolates were in the box to begin with.
:
let x = no. in the box to start with
:
x - 1%2F4x = 3%2F4x; left when he got home
:
Then he ate half, leaving half
1%2F2 * 3%2F4x = 6
3%2F8x = 6
Multiply by 8
3x = 48
x = 48%2F3
x = 16 to start with
:
:
Check. ate 4, left 12, ate a half left 6