Math Word Problem

Question

Six containers of water and 2 containers of a chemical weigh 182lbs. If 2 containers of water and 4 containers of a chemical weigh 154lbs, how much does one container of water and one container of a chemical each weigh?

Answer 1

 

This is a classic two equation two unkowns problem

 

6W + 2 C = 182

 

2W + 4C = 154

 

 

YOu can either use substitution   by rearranging one equation     6W + 2C = 182  therefore   C = ( 182 -6W) /2  and then plug this in for C in the second equation

 

Or elimination

 

2W + 4C = 154

12W + 4C = 182 *2   (multiply by 2)

-----------------------   subtract

 

-10W   =   154 - (364)

 

  10W =  210

    W = 21

 

Go back and Solve for C

 

Hint - in most cases if you can't divide easily - or end up with a fraction or negative number - you have done something wrong - go back and check.

 

HTH

 

DonnaNJ