SOLUTION: Jenna bought some pens. She gave 1/3 of them to her sister and 1/5 to her brother. If the brother received 40 fewer pens than the sister, how many pens dd the sister receive?

Algebra ->  Percentage-and-ratio-word-problems -> SOLUTION: Jenna bought some pens. She gave 1/3 of them to her sister and 1/5 to her brother. If the brother received 40 fewer pens than the sister, how many pens dd the sister receive?      Log On


   

Question 973031: Jenna bought some pens. She gave 1/3 of them to her sister and 1/5 to her brother. If the brother received 40 fewer pens than the sister, how many pens dd the sister receive?
Answer by macston(5194) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.
x=number of pens
%281%2F3%29x-%281%2F5%29x=40
5x%2F15-3x%2F15=600%2F15
5x-3x=600
2x=600
x=300 Jenna bought 300 pens.
1/3(300)=100 Sister received 100 pens.
1/5(300)=60 Brother received 60 pens.(40 fewer than sister)