1. Let the total number of deer in the herd be $x$.
Number of deer grazing in the field = $\frac{x}{2}$
Remaining deer = $x - \frac{x}{2} = \frac{x}{2}$
Number of deer playing nearby = $\frac{3}{4} \times \frac{x}{2} = \frac{3x}{8}$
Number of deer drinking water from the pond = 9
As the sum of the deer grazing, playing and drinking water is equal to the total number of deer in the herd,
$$\begin{aligned}\Rightarrow \frac{x}{2} + \frac{3x}{8} + 9 = x \\[1em] \Rightarrow \frac{x}{2} + \frac{3x}{8} = x - 9\end{aligned}$$
Hence, option (d) is the correct option.
2. Let the total number of deer in the herd be $x$.
From part 1, we have
⇒ $\frac{x}{2} + \frac{3x}{8} = x - 9$
L.C.M. of 2 and 8 = 8
Multiplying both sides by 8, we get:
$$\begin{aligned}\Rightarrow 8 \times \Big(\frac{x}{2} + \frac{3x}{8}\Big) = 8 \times \Big(x - 9\Big) \\[1em] \Rightarrow \frac{8x}{2} + \frac{8 \times 3x}{8} = 8x - 8 \times 9 \\[1em] \Rightarrow 4x + 3x = 8x - 72 \\[1em] \Rightarrow 7x = 8x - 72 \\[1em] \Rightarrow 72 = 8x - 7x \\[1em] \Rightarrow x = 72\end{aligned}$$
Hence, option (b) is the correct option.
3. From part 2, the total number of deer in the herd = 72.
Number of deer grazing in the field = $\frac{72}{2} = 36$
As there is one attendant for every four grazing deer,
⇒ Number of attendants = $\frac{36}{4} = 9$
Hence, option (b) is the correct option.
4. From part 2, the total number of deer in the herd = 72.
Number of deer grazing in the field = $\frac{72}{2} = 36$
Number of deer playing nearby = $\frac{3 \times 72}{8} = 27$
Number of deer drinking water from the pond = 9
⇒ Required ratio = 36 : 27 : 9
Calculating H.C.F. of 36, 27 and 9:
36 = 22 × 32
27 = 33
9 = 32
∴ H.C.F. of 36, 27 and 9 = 32 = 9
Dividing each term of the ratio by 9, we get:
⇒ Required ratio = 4 : 3 : 1
Hence, option (b) is the correct option.