a total of 60 hand weights some of the weights are 3 pounds and the rest are 5 pounds if there are 10 more 5 pound weights then 3 pound weight how many of each

Question

it is the gym instructor and i need help solving this problem. i don't know how to find the equations 

Answer 1

The problem is not clearly defined, so based on the qualified guess, there are total of 60 hand weights and 10 more 5 pounds weights (let X be a number of 5 pounds weights) than 3 pound weights (let Y be a number of 3 pounds weights). Based on this word math problem definition, the following system of equation contains the answer

 

X + Y = 60

X = Y +10

 

or in canonical form:

 

X + Y = 60
X - Y  = 10

 

Solving the equation

 

X = 35 (no. of 5 pound weights)

Y = 25 (no. of 3 pound weights)