Question

Three students, Matthew, Thompson and Amos shared #15000 in the ratio of 5:2:x respectively. If Matthew's share is 7500, calculate the value of x. ​

Answer 1

The value of x is 3.

Explanation:

Matthew earned 7500 of 15000, that is, 1/2.

Rate of 5:2:x, with number 5 corresponding to Matthew, mean that his fraction of the earnings is given by:

`(5)/(5 + 2 + x) = (5)/(7 + x)`

Since he earned 1/2 of the total:

We have that 5/(7+x) = 1/2. So we use this to find x.

`(5)/(7 + x) = (1)/(2)`

Applying cross multiplication:

`7 + x = 10`

`x = 10 - 7`

`x = 3`

The value of x is 3.