How do I write an algebraic equation that represents the total weight (W) of five boxes of blueberries, if b equals the weight of one box of blueberries

Question

how do i write the equation

 

Answer 1

Hi Kathleen from Freeport,NY...hope you had a great day as school.
Thanks for contacting Wyzant...I am here to help.

Okay let's start by labeling what the problem identifies for you. The problems says: write down what you understand the problem is telling you

              > you have 5 boxes of blueberries

              > each box weighs a certain among, which we don't know but

                  the problem says you are to label that  b

              > the problems asks you to calculate to TOTAL weigh of all the

                  5 boxes of blueberries. we will label that as BW

              > a key work here is 'TOTAL' weight, which tells us what?

                  TOTAL tells us we will need to add the weights of each box 

                   to get the TOTAL weight...so

So now we make an equation to take what we know and get the answer.

weight box₁+weight box₂+weight box₃+weight box₄+weight box₅ = BW

Since we know that the weight of each box is   b we can change that to:

             b₁ + b₂ +b₃ +b₄ +b₅  =  BW

You could leave it like this, but look at your equation, what do you notice?

           each box is the same and since they are the same and we are

           adding each box, what is an easy for of adding the same number

           again and again and again and again...until we stop.

Like what if we add:

            2 + 2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 =  what is the answer?   = 14

            because we have 7 2s...

          so if we have 5 b's...we can do the same;

                  5b  =  BW

Let me know if you need any more help.

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