# Fraction problems

• October 4th 2009, 03:03 AM
clayson
Fraction problems
Hey i was looking for help on these problems; how would i go about finding the solutions to them both?

1.If a storage tank is holding 450 liters when it is three quarters full, how much will it contain when it is two thirds full?.

And

2.three people P,Q and R contribute to a fund. P provides 3/5 of the total, Q provides 2/3 of the remainder and R provides £8. determine a) the total of the fund. b)the contributions of P and Q.

Thanks
• October 4th 2009, 04:34 AM
Nrt
1)

Let the total capacity of the tank be $x$.

When it's $\frac{3}{4}$ full it can contain 450 liters.

Now lets find its total capacity. If $\frac{3x}{4}=450$ then $x=\frac{4.450}{3}=600$

So when it's $\frac{2}{3}$ full, there will be $\frac{2.600}{3}=400$ liters.
• October 4th 2009, 05:01 AM
Nrt
2)

$Total=x$

P provies $\frac{3}{5}$ of total which is $\frac{3x}{5}$, now the remaining is $x-\frac{3x}{5}=\frac{2x}{5}$.

Q provides $\frac{2}{3}$ of the remainder, so $\frac{2x}{5}.\frac{2}{3}=\frac{4x}{15}$ that is the amount Q gives.

R gives 8£, it's equal to $\frac{2x}{15}$.

( $\frac{2x}{5}-\frac{4x}{15}=\frac{2x}{15}$)

I substracted the amount Q provided ( $\frac{4x}{15}$) from the total fund left ( $\frac{2x}{5}$) after P's contribution.

So we know that 8£ $=\frac{2}{15}$ of the total amount. $8.\frac{15}{2}=$60£ is the total amount.

From here we can find P's contribution which is $60.\frac{3}{5}=$36£ and Q's, $60.\frac{4}{15}=$16£
• October 4th 2009, 05:18 AM
clayson
Thanks mate, that made a lot more sense then the way i was going about it.