There are 40 students in a classroom, 9/20 of students are boys and 4/5 of students are right-handed. What is the maximum number of right-handed boys possible?

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Comments

AndrésMay 26

wait how do we get 18? I got 16 and I'm confused

ArjunJun 5

you have to think about the overlap, not just multiply. the girls also need to fill up the right-handed group

Ranjeet1h ago

thanks, helpful

HarshaAug 15

I keep getting tripped up on 'maximum' word problems. any shortcut?

PakkaponAug 19

when they ask for max possible overlap, just cap it by the smaller group

What this question tests

Your ability to convert between fractions, ratios, and decimals and to reason proportionally.

Cross-multiplying incorrectly or mixing up the ratio parts — a part:part ratio is not a fraction of the whole.