What Was John's Salary After Giving His Mother 55%?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around determining John's salary after he decides to give 55% of it to his mother, resulting in him having $1,200 less than if he had given her 30%. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and problem-solving related to percentages and equations.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose letting x represent John's salary and setting up equations based on the percentages he gives to his mother.
  • One participant notes that initially, John would have 70% of his salary for himself, and after giving 55%, he would have 45% left.
  • Another participant expresses confusion regarding the correct equation to use for solving the problem.
  • Several participants derive the equation $$\frac{45}{100}x - \frac{70}{100}x = -1200$$ to find John's salary.
  • One participant concludes that John's salary is $4,800 based on their calculations.
  • Another participant confirms the calculation using a different equation format, $$\dfrac{70}{100}x - 1200 = \dfrac{45}{100}x$$.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the method of setting up equations to find John's salary, but there is some confusion expressed by one participant regarding the correct approach. The discussion does not reach a consensus on the clarity of the problem-solving process.

Contextual Notes

Some participants' calculations lead to the same conclusion, but the discussion includes varying levels of understanding and clarity regarding the equations used.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in mathematical problem-solving, particularly involving percentages and algebraic equations, may find this discussion relevant.

Marcelo Arevalo
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At first, John wanted to give 30% of his salary to his mother. Finally, he decided to give her 55% of his salary but he would have $1,200 less for himself. How much was his salary?

- - - Updated - - -

Let x be John's Salary
x (55%) = -$1200
x= 2181.1818?
 
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At the beginning when we wanted to give 30% of his salary to his mother, he woud have for himself 70% of the salary.
Now, giving his mother 55% of the salary, he has for himself 45% of the salary.

Substracting the amount that he has for himself now from the amount that he would have for himself at the beginning gives -1200$.

From that you can calculate the salary.
 
I am confused with this problem. i am having a hard time figuring out the right equation.
 
Let $x$ be John's salary.

At the beginning, John would have $70\%$ of $x $ for himself, so he would have $\frac{70}{100}x\$ $.
Now, he has $45 \%$ of $x $ for himself, so he has $\frac{45}{100}x\$ $.

We know that John has now $1200\$$ less than he would have at the beginning.

So, $$\frac{45}{100}x-\frac{70}{100}x=-1200$$

Solving this equation, you get the value of the salary $x$.
 
now I get it.
John salary is :
x = 1200/0.25 = 4,800

thank you very much.
 
Assuming that John would have $\$1200$ less of $70\%$ of his salary if he gave his mother $55\%$,

$$\dfrac{70}{100}x-1200=\dfrac{45}{100}x$$.
 
Marcelo Arevalo said:
now I get it.
John salary is :
x = 1200/0.25 = 4,800

Yes. (Yes)
Marcelo Arevalo said:
thank you very much.

You're welcome! (Smile)
 

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