On Tuesday, John read ³₇ of a guide book. On Wednesday, he read 28 pages of the guide book. On Thursday, he read ⁴₇ of the remaining book leaving 12 pages unread.

1. Find the number of pages read on Thursday.
2. Find the total number of pages in the guide book.

(a)
Number of remaining unread pages after reading on Wednesday = 7 u

Number of remaining unread pages after reading on Thursday
= 7 u - 4 u
= 3 u

3 u = 12

1 u = 12 ÷ 3 = 4

Number of pages that John read on Thursday
= 4 u
= 4 x 4
= 16

(b) 
Working backwards.

Number of pages unread after reading on Wednesday
= 7 u
= 7 x 4
= 28

Total number of pages in the guide book = 7 p

Number of pages unread after reading on Tuesday 
= 7 p - 3 p
= 4 p

4 p = 28 + 28
4 p = 56

1 p = 56 ÷ 4 = 14

Total number of pages in the guide book
= 7 p
= 7 x 14
= 98

Answer(s): (a) 16; (b) 98