Word problem

Question

The largest fish ever caught in lake A weighed 645 pounds. This is 334.2 pounds less than eight times the weight of the largest fish ever caught in lake B. Find the weight of the largest fish caught in lake B?

Answer 1

We first make a variable out of the unknown quantity: the weight of the largest fish caught in lake B. Let's call it B.

 

The scenario says the largest fish caught in lake A is "334.2 pounds less than eight times" our variable B:

 

8B-334.2=645

 

Now, simply use your usual algebraic process to solve for B:

 

8B=645+334.2 (add 334.2 to each side)

8B=979.2 pounds

B=979.2/8 (divide each side by 8)

B=122.4 pounds

 

They're really tricky with "this is 334.2 pounds less..." I realize it makes it sound like Fish B must weigh almost 1000 pounds, but you have to think about the variable & how it is manipulated to make an equation.