Percents: OG156

[beater]

The contents of a certain box consist of 14 Apples and 23 Oranges. How many oranges must be removed from the box so that 70 percent of the pieces of fruit in the box will be apples?

a. 3
b. 6
c. 14
d. 17
e. 20

Here is my approach:

37(.7) = 25.9 . That means, # of apples must be increased by 12 (12+14=26) to satisfy the 70% requirement.

Therefore # of oranges removed = 12. However, 12 is NOT one of the answer choices. Could one of you please point out the flaw.

Thanks!

[amitansu]

The ans would be 17.

Let the x be the Oranges removed...
=>Total piece of fruit=(14+23)-x=37-x

now 70% of remaining fruit should be apples
=>.70(37-x)=14 (remember no. of apples would be the same)

x=17

You can do it by back solving also..

Try with any given ans choice the same way...
for 17 we have 23-17=6 no. of oranges remained
so total fruit piece be now 14+6=20

so apples % =14/20 *100=70.


Amit