Percent Homework

[VCV16712]

10% of Division A's employees are being laid off.
15% of Division B's employees are being laid off.

If 12% of 3000 employees between the 2 divisions are being laid off, how many people are in each division?

 

[galactus]

Set up a small system of equations.

x=number in Div. A
y=number in Div. B

\(\displaystyle \L\\0.10x+0.15y=0.12(3000)\)
\(\displaystyle \L\\x+y=3000\)

Solve.

 

[jonboy]

x=number in Div. A
y=number in Div. B

\(\displaystyle \L\\x+y=3000\)

How come you didn't set that equal to 3000(.12) ?

 

[galactus]

I did in the first equation. :?:

 

[jonboy]

I did in the first equation. :?:

The latter equation is the total number of a and b employees, and the question says that "12% of 3000 employees between the 2 divisions are being laid off" wouldn't you set it equal to 2640 (the number of employees left) ?

 

[galactus]

No, jonboy, you wouldn't. The correct equations are posted above.

10% of division A + 15% of division B= 12% of 3000

Although you could do it this way.

\(\displaystyle \L\\0.90x+0.85y=0.88(3000)\)
\(\displaystyle \L\\x+y=3000\)

Same thing, only this is with remaining employees instead of those laid off.