Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) ATI Mathematics Practice Test

What is the total number of doctors if 5/12 of them never prescribed medication?

1. 12 doctors

2. 24 doctors

3. 30 doctors

4. 60 doctors

The correct answer is: 12 doctors

To find the total number of doctors when given that 5/12 of them never prescribed medication, we can use the fraction to set up an equation. Let the total number of doctors be represented by \( x \). Since 5/12 of the doctors never prescribed medication, it follows that the remaining doctors who did prescribe medication would be \( x - (5/12)x \), which simplifies to \( (7/12)x \). In order for \( x \) to base the fraction on whole numbers of doctors, we need \( x \) to be a multiple of the denominator, 12. This way, when we take 5/12 of \( x \), it results in a whole number. Setting \( x = 12 \): - When we calculate \( (5/12) \times 12 \), we find that 5 doctors never prescribed medication. - This results in \( 12 - 5 = 7 \) doctors who did prescribe medication. Thus, if the total amount \( x \) of doctors is 12, where the fraction 5/12 results in a clean whole number, it confirms that the total number of doctors is indeed logical within this context. So, the total