In a provincial office, the ratio of male to female personnel was originally 4 : 3. After 6 new female personnel were hired, the ratio became 1 : 1. How many personnel were originally in the office?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. 42 personnel

  1. Step 1: Let initial males be 4x and females be 3x. Total = 7x. Step 2. New ratio: 4x / (3x + 6) = 1/1 => 4x = 3x + 6 => x = 6. Step 3. Initial total = 7 6 = 42 personnel (24 males and 18 females). Answer: 42 personnel, solving 4x = 3x + 6 for x = 6 and calculating total 7x = 42. Why not the others:* 48 is the new total after adding the 6 females.

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