How to solve this???

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How to solve this???

by gmatrant » Sun Oct 28, 2007 8:57 am
In a certain school, 40 more than 1/3 of all the students are taking a science course and 1/4 of those taking a science course are taking physics. If 1/8 of all the students in the school are taking physics, how many students are in the school?

A)240
B)300
C)480
D)720
E)960

OA is A
Source: — Problem Solving |

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by josephcho77 » Sun Oct 28, 2007 9:25 am
Let X be the toal students
# of students taking science = 40+1/3X
# of students taking physics = 1/4(40+1/3X)

Also 1/8 of all the students are taking physics = 1/8X

Therefore, 1/4(40+1/3X)=1/8X
Solve for X which is 240.

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by gmatrant » Sun Oct 28, 2007 8:24 pm
josephcho77 wrote:Let X be the toal students
# of students taking science = 40+1/3X
# of students taking physics = 1/4(40+1/3X)

Also 1/8 of all the students are taking physics = 1/8X

Therefore, 1/4(40+1/3X)=1/8X
Solve for X which is 240.
oh..no.. i read the question wrongly , 1/4 of those taking a science course are taking physics - I thought 1/4 of those taking science are also taking physics, ... hmmmm....