Marc spent 14 of his monthly budget on food and 35 of his monthly budget on gasoline. The total amount he spent on food and gasoline was $27

First,l let's assume that we have 1/4 and 3/5

And adding them together , we have.....

[ 5 + 12 ] / 20 = 17/20 = .85

And since $272 is 85% of his monthly budget..then his montly budget =

272/.85 = $320

Now, let's suppose that 14 and 35 represent percentages

Then their total is 49% = .49

And the total budget is just 272/.49 = $555.10

Happy7 is correct....it can't be dollars......

Somewhere around $550 dollars

x-(14+35)=272

x-49=272

x=272+49

x=321

Hope that I can help!

The reason for the discrepancy is that happy7 assumed that the 14 and 35 referred to percenages while anonymous assumed that they were dollars. Since the question wasn't clear what the 14 and 35 were, each one is correct for its assumption.

It has to be percentage.  Note the question says the total cost for food and gasoline was $272.  14+35 doesn't equal 272, does it?  Good effort Anonymous,  but by the way the question is written,  I don't see how you could be correct.  No offense.

One thing about your answer CPhill...

Maybe I'm wrong about this, but shouldn't you add the two percentages together?  14+35%=49%=.49

272/.49=555(rounded)

Am I wrong about that?

You're correct, happy7.....sorry for the mis-add...I'll do an edit...thanks for spotting that!!!  DUH on my part!!!!

Okay.  I thought I was reading wrong.  Or my mind played tricks on me.

Its 320