Polynomial word problem

Question

on a small plane, the average passenger weighs 80kg and has 10kg of luggage. the pilot weighs 62kg. there are also several boxes of supplies that weigh about 8kg each. Explain why the polynomial 90x + 8y + 62 can be used to estimate the weight the plane carries

Answer 1

the average passenger weighs 80 kg and has 10 kg of luggage

x represents the number of passengers (and they all have luggage)

80+10=90

90x represents the weight of all the passengers plus the weight of all their luggage

y represents the number of boxes of supplies

the boxes each weigh 8 kg

8y represents the weight of all the boxes

the pilot weighs 62 kg

the plane carries 90x kg of passengers (plus their luggage), 8y kg of supplies, and a pilot that weighs 62 kg

total weight that the plane carries is 90x+8y+62

 

Answer 2

Hello Darlene

 

Let's see what information we have.

 

w = # passengers 80 kg each

g = pieces of luggage 10 kg each

b = boxes of supplies 8 kg each

p = pilot 62 kg

 

We can estimate the total weight the plane is carrying by the following

80w + 10g + 8b + 62

 

The polynomial given is 90x + 8y + 62

 

If x is the number of passengers each having one unit of luggage then x = w+g

y = b

 

Then we can rewrite our formula as

80x + 10x + 8y + 62

combining terms

90x + 8y + 62