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Question
Victims of a shipwreck were lost at sea. Due to strong waves th ey were all soon separated. Search parties quickly went out to find them. On the first day 1/6 of the survivors were found. The next day 1/5 of those still lost were found. On the third day 1/4 of those still lost were found. On the fourth day 1/3 of those still lost were found. 1/2 of those still lost were found on the fifth day, and on the sixth and last day the 3 remaining boatmen and boatwomen were found
Hi John,
Nice puzzle. Well lets say that there were x survivors. SO after x/6 of them were found, 5x/6 survivors were left on the place. Now 1/5 of them were found. so that means 4/5 * 5x/6 are left which is 2x / 3. Now minus a fourth is 3/4 * 2x/3 = x / 2. Subtract a third and you get 2 / 3 * x / 2 = x / 3. subtract a half and you get x / 6. So the lass 3 people are a sixth of the boatmen. so the original number is 18.
Hope this helped,
Robi
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Answers by Expert:
Robi Bhattacharjee
Expertise
I can answer a variety of questions on mathematics. Questions on trigonometry, calculus(preferably single variable), algebra, geometry, and number theory will be answered. I cannot answer questions on abstract branches of mathematics such as group theory. I also cannot answer questions on statistics. In number theory, I can answer questions on congruences, prime numbers, units, functions, and the riemann-zeta function.
Experience
I have studied advanced math my entire life. I started calculus in sixth grade. I have attended numerous math competitions and I am attending math organizations such as the San-Diego math circle. Also, this year I have been invited to the USAMO which is a prestigious math competition (Every year the USAMO invites 500 students from across the USA to participate in this competition. The top 6 go to represent the USA in the International Math Olympiad).
Organizations
I am in the San Diego Math Circle
Education/Credentials
I am entering high school and have received a perfect score and the STAR test 5 times in a row. I also have gotten recognitions in the AMC 10, AIME, Math Counts, and ARML. Additionally, I have won the San Diego Math Olimpiad twice in a row.
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