money
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Hi Lala
As guest 55 said earlier on, it's an ambiguous question. I think it is a rubbish one too. Where did you find it?
It's the kind of question which if I was given it in an exam I'd spend time puzzling which possible interpretation was right. If it was multiple choice and both answers were present this would be nightmarish. Hopefully if it did lead to confusion the examiners would realise afterwards it was badly drafted and take it out during moderation of the results.
I think if I had to plump for an interpretation, I would assume that both fractions were of the original sum. So the quickest way to work it out is to add the two fractions which have been paid back - like FM did, to work out what fraction is still owing. I am sure this is probably what was intended as it involves fewer calculations during an exam without a calculator which is time pressured anyhow.
Good luck.
As guest 55 said earlier on, it's an ambiguous question. I think it is a rubbish one too. Where did you find it?
It's the kind of question which if I was given it in an exam I'd spend time puzzling which possible interpretation was right. If it was multiple choice and both answers were present this would be nightmarish. Hopefully if it did lead to confusion the examiners would realise afterwards it was badly drafted and take it out during moderation of the results.
I think if I had to plump for an interpretation, I would assume that both fractions were of the original sum. So the quickest way to work it out is to add the two fractions which have been paid back - like FM did, to work out what fraction is still owing. I am sure this is probably what was intended as it involves fewer calculations during an exam without a calculator which is time pressured anyhow.
Good luck.
