Problem solving

Question

For her digital camera, Judy Ackerman purchased a 512 MB memory card and a 4 GB memory card. Together the two memory cards can store a total of 996 photos. The 4 GB memory card can store 15 more than eight times the number of photos the 512 MB memory card can store. How many photos can each memory card store?

Answer 1

Let's call the 512 MB variable s for "small memory card" and the 4 GB b for "big memory card.

Here's what we know:

s + b = 996 (the total number of photos stored is 996)

b = 8s + 15 (the big card holds 8 times and another 15 more than the small)

 

We have a value for b, so let's plug it in:

 

s + 8s + 15 = 996

combine like terms:

9s + 15 = 996

subtract 15:

9s = 981

divide by 9:

s = 109

 

b = 8 * 109 + 15

b = 872 + 15

b = 887

 

Check:

109 + 887 = 996

996 = 996

Answer 2

Let Number of photo stored by 512 MB memory card = x

 

Number of photo stored by 4GB memory card =8x+15

 

 

x +8x+15= 996

 

9x=981

 

x= 109

 

So Number of photo stored by 512 MB memory card = x=109

 

Number of photo stored by 4GB memory card =8x+15  = 8(109)+15=887