Three boys shared some oranges. The first received 1/3 of the oranges and the second received 2/3 of the remaining. If the third boy received the remaining 12 oranges, how many oranges did they share
A
60
B
54
C
48
D
42
Verified Correct Answer: B.
Step-by-Step Mathematical Solution
Let x = the number of oranges
The 1st received 1/3 of x = 1/3x
∴Remainder = x - 1/3x = 2x/3
The 2nd received 2/3 of 2x/3 = 2/3 * 2x/3 = 4x/3
The 3rd received 12 oranges
∴1/3x + 4x/9 + 12 = x
(3x + 4x + 108)/9 = x
3x + 4x + 108 = 9x
7x + 108 = 9x
9x - 7x = 108
2x = 108
x = 54 oranges
Source: Myschool Past Questions Archive (Record #8220)