Expert: John Zalewski - 1/26/2012

Question
Hello,

I'm working on A.A. Klaf's 'Arithmetic Refresher,' and I'm
not quite sure how the answer is $5687.50 to this problem:

'If a family found that at the end of the year it had saved $455, and during the year it had spent .29 of its income for food, .17 for rent, .25 for clothing, and .21 for miscellaneous items, what was the amount of its income?'


Thanks in advance.

Answer
Hello, Jason.

Make Total Income = x

Therefore, you can make an equation. Total Income (x) - .29x (29% of the income was used for food), - .17x - .25x - .21x = $455 (amount saved)

x - .29x - .17x - .25x - .21x = $455

Next, combine the x factors. 1x - .29x - .17x - .25x - .21x = .08x

.08x = $455

Finally, divide both sides by .08.

Answer:

x = $5687.50

Hope this helps.

Regards,
John