Expert: Scarlett - 2/19/2008

Question
Joe bought 1kg of marbles in which 3/8 were orange,1/3 were red ,1/8 were green and the rest were yellow.What fraction were yellow?

Answer
Okay so, thewhole lot of marbles is equal to 1.

So, 3/8 + 1/3 + 1/8 + yellow marbles = 1

Right, so let's simplify that, by adding 1/8 to 3/8 to make 4/8, which is 1/2.

1/2 + 1/3 + yellow = 1

To add 1/2 and 1/3, you need to change them so the denominators are the same. Remember, if you multiply the top by a number, you must do the same to the bottom.

1/2 = 3/6
1/3 = 2/6

2/6 + 3/6 + yellow = 1
5/6 + yellow = 1
minus 5/6
yellow = 1/6

If there's anything you don't understand, let me know, as I don't know how good your maths skills are, so I've had to assume you knowsome stuff already.

Anything which confuses you, tell me and I'll explain it.