Question

The Reagan school marching band has three percussion musicians. How many musicians altogether in band ? 1/3 wood winds 1/6 percussion 1/2 brass

Answer 1

1/6 of what is 3
1/6x = 3
x = 3 x 6
x = 18...total musicians are 18

Answer 2

1/6 percussion 
1/3 wood winds = 2/6 (which is twice as many as percussion) 
1/2 brass = 3/6 (which is three times as many as percussion)

So percussion = 3
wood winds = 6
brass = 9
all together = 3 + 6 + 9 = 18