At a fruit stall, 8% of the number of oranges is equal to 20% of the number of watermelons. There are 180 more oranges than watermelons. How many watermelons are there?



Answer :

Sure, let's solve the problem step by step.

1. Understand the relationships given in the problem:

- 8% of the number of oranges is equal to 20% of the number of watermelons.
- There are 180 more oranges than watermelons.

2. Assign variables:

Let [tex]\( w \)[/tex] be the number of watermelons.
Let [tex]\( o \)[/tex] be the number of oranges.

3. Translate the relationships into equations:

From the first relationship:
[tex]\( 0.08 \times \text{number of oranges} = 0.2 \times \text{number of watermelons} \)[/tex]
In variables, this becomes:
[tex]\( 0.08 \times o = 0.2 \times w \)[/tex]

From the second relationship:
[tex]\( o = w + 180 \)[/tex]

4. Substitute the second equation into the first:

Substitute [tex]\( o = w + 180 \)[/tex] into [tex]\( 0.08 \times o = 0.2 \times w \)[/tex]:
[tex]\( 0.08 \times (w + 180) = 0.2 \times w \)[/tex]

5. Solve for [tex]\( w \)[/tex]:

Distribute the 0.08:
[tex]\( 0.08w + 14.4 = 0.2w \)[/tex]

Move all terms involving [tex]\( w \)[/tex] to one side:
[tex]\( 14.4 = 0.2w - 0.08w \)[/tex]

Simplify:
[tex]\( 14.4 = 0.12w \)[/tex]

Solve for [tex]\( w \)[/tex]:
[tex]\( w = \frac{14.4}{0.12} \)[/tex]

[tex]\( w = 120 \)[/tex]

Thus, the number of watermelons is 120.