word problem

Question

If Tammy weighs 242 pounds and loses 1 pound a week, how many months will it take Tammy to  lose 122 pounds? Hint : (she now weighs 120 pounds) ( there are 4 weeks in a month )

Answer 1

Set this problem up as follows:

 

n = number of months to lose 122 pounds

 

She looses 1 pound per week which is 4 pounds per month

 

She wants to get down to 242-122=120 pounds

 

120 = 242 - 4n

 

Solve for n and get

 

n = (242 - 120) / 4 = 30.5 months

Answer 2

 

Let x = number of monthss it takes to lose 122 pounds

 

She currently weighs 242 pounds.

 

She looses at a rate of 1 pound per week ... or 4 poun

 

We can construct the following equation:

 

    242 - 4x = 242 - 120

 

Subtracting 242 from both sides,

 

    -4x = -120

 

     x = 30 months