Problem solving: fractions of fractions

[Tulip]

Please could anyone help me with these questions!

1) Melina won the lottery,

She spent 2/3 of her winnings on a house

She spent 2/3 of what she had left on a yacht

Then she spent 2/3 of what she had on a hot air ballon

She spent her last £20000 on a car


How much did Melina win on the lottery?


2) Sam divided 15 pennies among 4 small bags

He could then pay any sum of money from 1p to 15p, without opening any
bag.

How many pennies did Sam put in each bag?

[stevew61]

She spent 2/3 of her winnings on a house.........so one third left

She spent 2/3 of what she had left on a yacht.......so one third of one third left

Then she spent 2/3 of what she had on a hot air ballon..........etc

She spent her last £20000 on a car

1/3*1/3*/1/3=1/27 was her last £20,000

So win was 27 * £20000 being £540,000, I wouldn't have spent it that quick.

Double checking,

540K less tow thirds leaves one third 180K

180K ..................leaves one third 60K

60K....................leaves 20K.

[Tulip]

Thank you stevew61 and its a brilliant calculation...!!!

[Tulip]

Hi stevew61, could you please explain why you multiplied 27 by £20000 ? We are a bit confused on this step. Thank you.

[minubht80]

Excellent explanation stevew61

@Tulip

its 1/27 of X = 20000
so X would be

X = 20000*27(cross multiplication)
Where X is total amount

Regards
jmom