how many cups?

Question

If 2 small containers and 1 large container together hold 10 cups of water, and 1 large container minus 1 small container leaves 4 cups of water, how many cups of water does the large container hold?

Answer 1

let l = large and s = small

 

We have 2 equations:

2s + l = 10 & l - s = 4

 

by solving the second equation for s we get:

l - 4 = s

 

plug this new equation into the first equation:

2(l - 4) + l = 10

 

Simplify:

2l - 8 + l = 10

 

Combine like terms:

3l -8 = 10

 

Solve for l:

3l = 18

l = 6

 

The large container holds 6 cups.