Question 84467
Let x=number of employees in the ag div
Then 3000-x=number of employees in the aero div

Now we know that the number of employees laid off in the ag div (0.15x) plus the number of employees laid off in the aero div (0.10)(3000-x) must equal the number of employees laid off altogether (0.12)(3000).  So our equation to solve is:

0.15x+0.10(3000-x)=0.12(3000) get rid of parens

0.15x+300-0.10x=360  subtract 300 from both sides

0.15x-0.10x+300-300=360-300  collect like terms

0.05x=60  divide both sides by 0.05

x=1200-----------------------------number of employees in the ag div

3000-x=3000-1200=1800---------------number of employees in the aero div

CK

0.15(1200)+0.10(1800)=0.12(3000)

180+180=360
360=360


Hope this helps--------ptaylor