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Question P5–P6 Branching

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Ahmad's savings — books, then a game

Ahmad spent $36 on books. This was of his savings. After buying the books, he spent of the remaining savings on a game. How much did he spend on the game?

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About this method

Branching

The second fraction is of one piece, not of the whole.

In this one. A given amount lands on a whole number of units — $36 is 4 units, so it fixes 1 unit = $9, and every later quantity is counted in those same units instead of guessed at as a fraction.

All of it$81books4/9 → $36the rest5/9 → $45a game1/3 of $45 = $15left$30

Also uses: Units and parts

How to spot it

A second fraction arrives after the first and is attached to a piece rather than to the whole — 'of the remainder', 'of what was left', or 'of the ones that were red'.

Common mistake

Children take the second fraction of the original total instead of the piece it was named against, which makes the amount come out too big.

Practise a similar question

Standard Mei spent $48 on a dress. This was 3/8 of her savings. After buying the dress, she spent 1/5 of the remaining savings on a handbag. How much did she spend on the handbag?
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