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Barry spent 1/4 of his monthly salary for rent and 1/7 of his monthly salary for his utility bill. If $1411 was left, what was his monthly salary?

1 Answer

6 votes

Answer: $2,324

Explanation:

Let his salary be x.

He spent 1/4 of his salary, or x/4, and 1/7 of his salary, or x/7.

His salary was x. He spent x/4 and x/7, so we subtract those two amounts from his salary.

x - x/4 - x/7 is the amount he still has. He still has $1411. We equate the two and have an equation.

x - x/4 - x/7 = 1411

x/1 - x/4 - x/7 = 1411

We need to combine the three fractions on the left side, so we need to use a common denominator. The least common multiple of 1, 4, and 7 is 28, so 28 is the LCD.

28x/28 - 7x/28- 4x/28= 1411

17x/28= 1411

Multiply both sides by 28.

17x = 39,508

Divide both sides by 17.

x = 2,324

Check:

1/4 of his salary is 2,324/4 = 581

1/7 of his salary is 2,324/7 = 332

Now we subtract 581 and 332 from 2,324

2324 - 581 - 332 = 1411 which is what the problem stated.

Our answer $2,324 is correct.

User Dolbysurnd
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