one friend three fourths one friend three fourths
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There are two ways to read this:

 

Way 1:  I gave 1/3 of a whole candy bar to one friend and 3/4 of the whole candy bar to another friend.

1/3 + 3/4 = 4/12 + 9/12 = 13/12 = 1   1/12

This can't happen because you started with exactly 1 original candy bar.  You can't give away 1   1/12 candy bar if you only have 1 candy bar.

 

Way 2:  I gave 1/3 of a candy bar to one friend and 3/4 of the remaining candy bar to another friend.

You gave 1/3 of a whole candy bar to one friend.  That means you have 1 - 1/3 = 2/3 of a whole candy bar left.

You then gave 3/4 of the remaining candy bar to another friend.  That means you have 1 - 3/4 = 1/4 of the remaining candy bar left.

But the remaining candy bar is 2/3 of a whole candy bar, so you have 1/4 left of 2/3 of a whole candy bar.  In other words you have 1/4 * 2/3 = 1/6 of a whole candy bar left.
by Level 13 User (103k points)

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