Four friends contribute sums of money to a charitable organization in the ratio 2:4:5:7. If the largest amount contributed is $1.40, calculate the total amount contributed by the four people
Let their amounts of contribution be
2x , 4x, 5x, and 7x
7x = 1.4
x = .2
so they contributed
$ 0.40 , 0.80, 1. 00, and 1.40
for a total of $3.60
To calculate the total amount contributed by the four people, we first need to determine the value of the smallest contribution.
Let's assume the smallest contribution is represented by the variable 'x'.
According to the given ratio, the amounts contributed by the four friends can be expressed as:
Friend 1: 2x
Friend 2: 4x
Friend 3: 5x
Friend 4: 7x
Now we can set up an equation using the sum of the contributions:
2x + 4x + 5x + 7x = Total contribution
Combining like terms:
18x = Total contribution
We are given that the largest amount contributed is $1.40. Since this corresponds to 7x, we can set up another equation:
7x = $1.40
Dividing both sides of this equation by 7:
x = $0.20
Now we can substitute this value back into the previous equation to find the total contribution:
18x = Total contribution
18(0.20) = Total contribution
Total contribution = $3.60.
Therefore, the total amount contributed by the four friends is $3.60.