word problem

[johnkay]

Mr. B spent $ 1,600 of his savings on a TV set and 2/5 of the remainder on a refrigerator. He had 1/3 of his original amount of savings left.
1.what was Mr. B's original savings?
2. What was the cost of refrigerator?

let say x be the original savings

does the following make sense.... ?
total savings = addition of all spending + left over

x=1600+2/5(x-1600)+x/3
not sure if I have correct equation


the other thing is this if for 6th grade math in fractions chapter and they do not use "lets say x be.." they have to solve by drawing bar diagram and adding/multiplying fractions... help please....

 

[mmm4444bot]

if for 6th grade math in fractions chapter and they do not use "lets say x be.." they have to solve by drawing bar diagram and adding/multiplying fractions

Huh?

Is this meant to be a question or a statement?

 

[johnkay]

Huh?

Is this meant to be a question or a statement?

sorry ...it was a typo .. "the other thing is this if for 6th" I meant "the other thing is this is for 6th" .. I know how to solve using "x" but how to do it mentally or just using fractions and not using "x"? Thanks for reply.

 

[mmm4444bot]

Yes, I recognized the misspelled word. From a grammatical point-of-view, there are a number of comprehension-killing mistakes in your post. That's my point.

As far as solving this exercise without using any symbols and restricting yourself to mental arithmetic limited to Real ratios, I don't know. Why do you ask?

 

[mmm4444bot]

Denis, I believe that the OP's current question is this.

how to do it mentally or just using fractions and not using "x"?

I have no answer to this question.

 

[Deleted member 4993]

how to do it mentally or just using fractions and not using "x"? Thanks for reply.

The other crude method would be - guess-and-correct.

I would start with guess of $3000 (nice number - greater than 1600 and divisible by both 5 and 3)

then amount left would be = 3000 - (1600 +2/5*1400) = 3000 - 2160 = 840 ..... too small

Try 3600 → 3600 - (1600 + 2/5*2000) = 1200 .... Bingo

 

[Deleted member 4993]

Isn't "bingo" too low-class a word for Cricket Noblesse?

No ... No ... Mon Ami .... I am not French .... neither I am Noblesse .... I am just a Cricketier-Gentleman....

Anyway, am I supposed to say "cheerioo" or may be "hooray" ...

This is lunch-time now - I need to go it my egg-sanwiches (no croissont for me).