SOLUTION: There are 4 cups with 36 bolts in each cup. The following number of bolts are taken from each cup as follows: 1st cup 1/8, 2nd cup 3/4, 3rd cup 1/2 & 4th cup 5/8. What fraction o

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Misc -> SOLUTION: There are 4 cups with 36 bolts in each cup. The following number of bolts are taken from each cup as follows: 1st cup 1/8, 2nd cup 3/4, 3rd cup 1/2 & 4th cup 5/8. What fraction o      Log On

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Question 13371: There are 4 cups with 36 bolts in each cup. The following number of bolts are taken from each cup as follows: 1st cup 1/8, 2nd cup 3/4, 3rd cup 1/2 & 4th cup 5/8. What fraction of bolts have not been taken.
This is how I worked through it:
1) I added the 4 cups together. (144 bolts)
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2) I multiplied the number of bolts taken from each cup with the initial number of bolts in each cup: 1/8*36= 4.5, then I subtracted the sum from the initial number of bolts: 36-4.5= 31.5, 2nd cup: 3/4*36= 27, 36-27= 9, 3rd cup: 1/2*36= 18, 36-18= 18, 4th cup: 5/8*36=22.5, 36-22.5= 13.5
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3) I added all the bolts from step 2: 31.5+9+18+13.5= 72
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4) I divided the total number of bolts from step 3 and 1: 72/144= .5
MY ANSWER: 1/2 or .5
Answer by askmemath(368) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Your working is absolutely Correct!!
Since they asked fraction 1/2(or Half) the number of bolts have not beent taken.