SOLUTION: We are four friend and have one cake.it cut into equal slices.first friend took 1/3 of whole cake. 2nd friend took 1/3 of remain in cake and 3rd friend took 1/3 of remaining cake.F

Algebra ->  Rate-of-work-word-problems -> SOLUTION: We are four friend and have one cake.it cut into equal slices.first friend took 1/3 of whole cake. 2nd friend took 1/3 of remain in cake and 3rd friend took 1/3 of remaining cake.F      Log On


   

Question 888320: We are four friend and have one cake.it cut into equal slices.first friend took 1/3 of whole cake. 2nd friend took 1/3 of remain in cake and 3rd friend took 1/3 of remaining cake.Fourth friend took his fair share of cake.at the end 5 pieces of cake left.how many slices of whole cake
Answer by josgarithmetic(39621) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Not being very algebraic, the thought of 12 or 24 comes in to mind. The "5 pieces of cake" does not make sense if the cake is divided uniformly to share among four friends equally.

First friend, 2/3 of the cake remains.

Second friend took some cake, 2%2F3-1%2F3=4%2F6-2%2F6=2%2F6=1%2F3 cake remains.

Third friend took 1/3 of 1/3, so 1%2F3-%281%2F3%29%281%2F3%29=3%2F9-1%2F9=2%2F9 cake remains.

Fourth friend took "his fair share" but this is unclear. Five pieces remain.

If w = number of cake pieces, x = number of fair share pieces, then %282%2F9%29w-x=5. This is the best process I can give. Recall, I said something about "5" mentioned as a possible factor or denomination? There is also a denomination of 9.