SOLUTION: Gary puts orange, black & whites of candies in boxes for Halloween. After he fills a box 1/4 is orange, 1/6 is black and 21 are white. How many candies does he put in each box? Cou

Algebra ->  Permutations -> SOLUTION: Gary puts orange, black & whites of candies in boxes for Halloween. After he fills a box 1/4 is orange, 1/6 is black and 21 are white. How many candies does he put in each box? Cou      Log On


   

Question 751969: Gary puts orange, black & whites of candies in boxes for Halloween. After he fills a box 1/4 is orange, 1/6 is black and 21 are white. How many candies does he put in each box? Could you explain how to work this problem. Thanks
Answer by tommyt3rd(5050) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The fractions must add to 1 (the total of all the candies expressed as a fraction). So that the fraction of white candies must be

+1-1%2F4-1%2F6=12%2F12-3%2F12-2%2F12=7%2F12

Now if 21 represents 7/12 then


%0D%0A%287%2F12%29x=21%0D%0A

%2812%2F7%29%287%2F12%29x=%2821%2F1%29%2812%2F7%29

And therefore there are 36 pieces of candy


:)