Primary 6 Maths - Percentage

Sandra had 360 pears and apples at her store. After selling 30% of the apples and 40% of the pears, she had 230 fruits left.

How many apples did she sell?

How many apples did she have at first?

1. For percentage questions, its easier to view it like a units question.

30% of apples – 3 unit out of 10 is sold.

40% of pears – 4 parts out of 10 is sold.

70% of apples – 7 units is left.

60% of pears – 6 parts is left.


1)------7 units + 6 parts = 230
(multiply by 2 throughout) --> 14 u + 12 p = 460

2)------3units + 4 parts = 360-230 = 130
(multiply by 3 throughout) -->9 u + 12 p = 390

Take the first eqn minus the second, (get rid of one unknown)
14 u + 12 p – 9 u – 12 p = 460-390

5u = 70 ( we have successfully get rid of 1 unknown)
1u = 14
3u = 42--- apples sold

10 u = 140 ----apples at first