(a) Call x the additional consecutive number of FTs she needs to make
We have this equation
[12 + x ] / [ 15 + x ] = .85
(b) Multiply both sides by 15 + x
12 + x = .85 [ 15 + x]
12 + x = 12.75 + .85x subtract .85x, 12 from both sides
.15x = .75 divide both sides by .15
x = 5 additional consecutive FTs