Question

A string of pearls such that 1/3 is lost and of that 1/4th is missing, remaining is 20 then actual number of pearls?

Answer 1

Let the actual number of pearls in the string be x

Out of the total pearls, 1/3rd is lost, 1/4th is missing and remaining is 20.

According to the question.

x/3 + x/4 + 20/1 = x/1

Taking the L.C.M. of the denominators and then solving it.

⇒ (4x + 3x + 240)/12 = x/1

Now, Cross multiplication

7x + 240 = 12x 

12x - 7x = 240

5x = 240

x = 240/5

x = 48

The actual number of pearls were 48

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Let us check our answer.

1/3rd is lost

= 48/3

= 16 pearls were lost

1/4th is missing

= 48/4

= 12 pearls were missing

20 pearl are remaining

Actual number of pearls = 16 + 12 + 20 = 48

Our answer is correct.