Question 121885
Farmer Brown had some animals. One-fourth were horses, one-half were cows, and the rest were pigs. He had 8 pigs. How many animals did he have altogether?
:
Let x = total no. of animals
:
One-fourth were horses,: {{{1/4}}}x
one-half were cows: {{{1/2}}}x
 and the rest were pigs. He had 8 pigs. 
:

How many animals did he have altogether?
:
total = horses + cows + pigs
x = {{{1/4}}}x + {{{1/2}}}x + 8
:
Multiply equation by 4:
4*x = {{{1/4}}}x + 4*{{{1/2}}}x + 4(8)
Cancel the denominators and you have:
:
4x = 1x + 2x + 32
4x - 3x = 32
x = 32 total animals
:
:
Check solution of x = 32
 {{{1/4}}}*32 + {{{1/2}}}32 + 8 =
   8  + 16 + 8 = 32