Question

There are 36 students in Mr. Meyer's class. Of those students, 5/12 played tag at recess, 1/3 played kickball, and the rest played basketball. How many students in Mr. Meyer's class played basketball?

Answer 1

9 students played basketball

Explanation:

Number of students that played tag:

36*5/12=

180/12 = 15 students that played tag

Number of students that played kickball:

36*1/3=

36/3 = 12 students that played kickball

Number of students that played basketball:

First, find the total number of students that DIDN'T play basketball:

15 students played basketball and 12 played kickball, so:

15 + 12 = 27 students didn't play basketball

36 - 27 = 9 students played basketball

Answer 2

9 students played basketball

Explanation:

36 students in the class

5/12 played tag (of the 36)

1/3 played kickball

Find a common denominator and add the fractions

5/12 + 1/3 = 5/12 + 4/12 = 9/12

9/12 simplifies to 3/4

3/4 played kickball and tag, the rest played basketball

Subtract kickball and tag students from 1, to find the fraction of basketball players

1 - 3/4 = 1/4 of the students played basketball

The total is 36 students, 1/4 played basketball

1/4 of 36 = 36/4 = 9

9 students played basketball

Let me know if you have any questions!