SOLUTION: Eric gave away 2/3 of his fish. He then gave away 3/5 of his remaining fish. He was left with 30 fish. How many did he start with?

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Question 934853: Eric gave away 2/3 of his fish. He then gave away 3/5 of his remaining fish. He was left with 30 fish. How many did he start with?
Found 3 solutions by vicgonzerx, josgarithmetic, MathTherapy:
Answer by vicgonzerx(31) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
x=total fish eric had
(x-2/3x)-3/5(x-2/3x)=30
x=225 fish is the answer

Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
q, original number of fish.


q-%282%2F3%29q first give-away.
q-%282%2F3%29q-%283%2F5%29%28q-%282%2F3%29q%29=30, the second give-away.


q-%282%2F3%29q-%283%2F5%29q%2B%283%2F5%29%282%2F3%29%28q%29=30

q-%282%2F3%29q-%283%2F5%29q%2B%282%2F5%29q=30

%281-2%2F3-3%2F5%2B2%2F5%29q=30

LCD is 3%2A5, so multiply left and right by this.

%2815-10-9%2B6%29q=30%2A15

%285-9%2B6%29q=30%2A15

2q=30%2A15

q=15%2A15

highlight%28q=225%29


Mistakes are easily made in this solution. Watch signs and factors carefully.

Answer by MathTherapy(10552) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Eric gave away 2/3 of his fish. He then gave away 3/5 of his remaining fish. He was left with 30 fish. How many did he start with?
If 2%2F3 of fish is given away, then 1%2F3 is left

Giving away 3%2F5 of remainder leaves 2%2F5 of remainder, or %282%2F5%29+%2A+%281%2F3%29, or 2%2F15

Let original number of fish be N

Now, since 30 remained after the giveaways, which is also represented by 2%2F15, then we can say that: %282%2F15%29%2F1+=+30%2FN 

2N%2F15+=+30 ------ Cross-multiplying

2N = 450

N, or original number of fish = 450%2F2, or highlight_green%28225%29

You can do the check!! 

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