there are 792 workers in a factory. if the number of male workers is 20%less than that of female workers, then the number of male workers is?

answer:352
i always get confused with the equation of this type of quesion. Thanks:)

it is a mc question :

A.352
B.360
C.432
D.440

the solution book shows that the answer is A

To solve this type of question, you'll need to set up an equation based on the given information and then solve it.

Let's denote the number of female workers as 'F' and the number of male workers as 'M'.

We are given that there are 792 workers in total, so we can write the equation:
F + M = 792 (equation 1)

It is also given that the number of male workers is 20% less than the number of female workers. Mathematically, this can be expressed as:
M = F - 0.20F (equation 2)

To simplify equation 2, we can factor out F:
M = 0.80F

Now we can substitute the value of M from equation 2 into equation 1:
F + 0.80F = 792

Combining like terms:
1.80F = 792

To solve for F, divide both sides of the equation by 1.80:
F = 792 / 1.80

Using a calculator, we find that F ≈ 440.

Now, substitute the value of F back into equation 2 to find M:
M = 0.80 * 440

Using a calculator, we get M ≈ 352.

Therefore, the number of male workers in the factory is approximately 352.

let the number of males be x

then the number of females = 792-x

percentage of males = x/792
percentage of females = (792-x)/792

(792-x)/792 - x/792 = .20
times 792
792-x - x = 158.4
-2x = -663.6
x = 316.8 , can't have partial people

So there are 317 males and 475 females

check:
percentage of males = 317/792 = .400 or 40%
percentage of females = 475/792 = .5997 or 60%
so percentage of males is 20% less

My answer is correct

How did you get 352 ?

thanks so much:)

i think i found the answer:

let the number of male and female workers be m and f respectively.

m+f=762 (1)
m=f(1-20%) (2)
m=352,f=440

If that answer is supposed to be correct, then

males = 352 , females = 440
percentage of males = 352/792 = appr 44.4%
percentage of females = 440/792 = appr 55.6%
which is NOT 20% difference.

So the choice are clearly all wrong.

Since I showed that my answer is correct, what doubt do you have ?