Question

Two fifth of the people in a queue outside a bookstore would like to purchase the latest edition of Harry Potter. If 36 people do not want the book, how many people would like to purchase the book?

Answer 1

Answer:

24 people would like to purchase the book.

Step-by-step explanation:

Let x be the total number of people standing in the queue.,

The fraction of people who like to buy the book = $\frac{2}{5}$

The fraction of people who do not want  to  buy

                                                                the book = $\frac{3}{5}$ ( $\frac{5}{5}$ - $\frac{2}{5}$ )

Here, it is given that 36 people do not  want to buy the book.

∴ $\frac{3}{5}$ × $x^{ }$ = 36

3x = 36 x 5

3x = 180

x = $\frac{180}{3}$

x = 60.

∴The total number of people standing in the queue is 60.

Number of people who like to purchase book = $\frac{2}{5}$ × $x^{ }$

                                                                             = $\frac{2}{5}$ × 60

                                                                             = 24