Question #N988

A survey of 100 people found that 60 people liked apples, 40 people liked oranges, and 20 people liked both apples and oranges. How many people liked only apples?
A. 20
B. 40
C. 60
D. 80

Correct Answer is: A

We can use a Venn diagram to solve this problem. Let's represent the number of people who like only apples as *a*, the number of people who like only oranges as *o*, and the number of people who like both as *b*. We are given that *a* + *b* = 60, *o* + *b* = 40, and *b* = 20. Substituting *b* = 20 into the first two equations, we get *a* + 20 = 60 and *o* + 20 = 40. Solving for *a*, we find *a* = 60 - 20 = 40. Therefore, 40 people like only apples.