2012-03-06 09:00:04

If ⅔ of a number is 5 less than  ¾ of the number, what is ⅘ of the number?

(A) 40
(B) 45
(C) 48
(D) 54
(E) 60

The correct answer is C

Explanation: Let x be the number. Then ⅔x + 5 = ¾x.  Subtract ⅔x from both sides of the equation by converting both fractions into 12ths so as to have a lowest common denominator. Thus, ⅔x + 5 = ¾x becomes 8/12x + 5 = 9/12x. This means that 5 = 1/12x. Divide both sides of the equation by 1/12 to get x = 60. If x = 60, then ⅘ of x is ⅘ of 60, or 48. This makes choice C the right answer.