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A textbook has a total of 662 pages. It is divided into two parts. The second part of the book has 52 pages less than the first part. How many pages are there in the first part of the book?
324
305
372
357
357
If the sum (S) and difference (D) of two quantities are known, the larger quantity is given by (S+D)/2. Here, Total pages is the sum of the two parts and the difference is 52.
Total pages = 662, Difference between second part and first part = 52 pages
First┬аPart=2Total+DifferenceтАЛ
If the sum (S) and difference (D) of two quantities are known, the larger quantity is given by (S+D)/2. Here, Total pages is the sum of the two parts and the difference is 52.
Subtracting 52 from the total instead of adding it, which would find the smaller part (second part) instead of the first part.
Step 1: Set up the algebraic equations
Let the number of pages in the first part be x. Since the second part has 52 pages less than the first, the second part is xтИТ52. The total pages in the book is 662.
x+(xтИТ52)=662
Step 2: Simplify the equation
Combine like terms on the left side of the equation.
2xтИТ52=662
Step 3: Solve for x
Add 52 to both sides of the equation, then divide by 2.
2x=662+52=714тЯ╣x=2714тАЛ=357
D is correct because the first part contains 357 pages, which satisfies the condition that the second part has 357тИТ52=305 pages and their total is 357+305=662 pages.
Such linear simultaneous word problems frequently appear in RRB and SSC quantitative aptitude tests under age and number-based problems.