Difference between revisions of "2004 AMC 10B Problems/Problem 14"

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We can ignore most of the problem statement. The only important information is that immediately before the last step blue marbles formed <math>\frac{1}{5}</math> of the marbles in the bag. This means that there were <math>x</math> blue and <math>4x</math> other marbles, for some <math>x</math>. When we double the number of blue marbles, there will be <math>2x</math> blue and <math>4x</math> other marbles, hence blue marbles now form <math>\boxed{\mathrm{(C)\ }\frac{1}{3}}</math> of all marbles in the bag.
 
We can ignore most of the problem statement. The only important information is that immediately before the last step blue marbles formed <math>\frac{1}{5}</math> of the marbles in the bag. This means that there were <math>x</math> blue and <math>4x</math> other marbles, for some <math>x</math>. When we double the number of blue marbles, there will be <math>2x</math> blue and <math>4x</math> other marbles, hence blue marbles now form <math>\boxed{\mathrm{(C)\ }\frac{1}{3}}</math> of all marbles in the bag.
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==Solution 2 ==
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Assume that there are <math>2</math> blue marbles and <math>1</math> red marble. You don't have to add any red marbles to make the quantity <math>\frac{1}{3}</math>. Then, to make the blue marbles <math>\frac{1}{5}</math>, add <math>7</math> yellow marbles. Doubling the blue marbles makes <math>4</math> blue marbles out of <math>12</math> total marbles, or <math>\boxed{\mathrm{(C)\ }\frac{1}{3}}</math> of all marbles in the bag.
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==

Revision as of 20:09, 26 July 2020

Problem

A bag initially contains red marbles and blue marbles only, with more blue than red. Red marbles are added to the bag until only $\frac{1}{3}$ of the marbles in the bag are blue. Then yellow marbles are added to the bag until only $\frac{1}{5}$ of the marbles in the bag are blue. Finally, the number of blue marbles in the bag is doubled. What fraction of the marbles now in the bag are blue?

$\mathrm{(A) \ } \frac{1}{5} \qquad \mathrm{(B) \ } \frac{1}{4} \qquad \mathrm{(C) \ } \frac{1}{3} \qquad \mathrm{(D) \ } \frac{2}{5} \qquad \mathrm{(E) \ } \frac{1}{2}$

Solution

We can ignore most of the problem statement. The only important information is that immediately before the last step blue marbles formed $\frac{1}{5}$ of the marbles in the bag. This means that there were $x$ blue and $4x$ other marbles, for some $x$. When we double the number of blue marbles, there will be $2x$ blue and $4x$ other marbles, hence blue marbles now form $\boxed{\mathrm{(C)\ }\frac{1}{3}}$ of all marbles in the bag.

Solution 2

Assume that there are $2$ blue marbles and $1$ red marble. You don't have to add any red marbles to make the quantity $\frac{1}{3}$. Then, to make the blue marbles $\frac{1}{5}$, add $7$ yellow marbles. Doubling the blue marbles makes $4$ blue marbles out of $12$ total marbles, or $\boxed{\mathrm{(C)\ }\frac{1}{3}}$ of all marbles in the bag.

See also

2004 AMC 10B (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 13
Followed by
Problem 15
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All AMC 10 Problems and Solutions

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