Question

A scientist removed a sample of 37.8 grams of a chemical from a containerThe sample was 4(1)/(4) grams less than (1)/(5) of the total mass of the chemical in the container. What was the measure of the total chemical in the container? Show your work.

Answer 1

Let's assume the total mass of the chemical in the container is "x" grams.

According to the problem statement, the sample taken out was 4(1)/(4) grams less than (1)/(5) of the total mass of the chemical in the container.

So we can write an equation as follows:

37.8 = (1/5)x - 4(1/4)

Let's solve for "x" to find the total mass of the chemical in the container:

37.8 + 4(1/4) = (1/5)x

37.8 + 1 = (1/5)x

38.8 = (1/5)x

x = 38.8 x 5

x = 194 grams

Therefore, the total mass of the chemical in the container is 194 grams