How do you solve the following? (Please look in description box)

Question

An elevator at a construction site has a maximum capacity of 1460 pounds. If the elevator operator weighs 210 pounds and each cement bag weighs 50 pounds, how many bags of cement can be safely lifted on the elevator in one trip?

Answer 1

Let x = number of cement bags

Maximum weight = 50x + 210 (operator weight)

1460 = 50x - 210

Subtract 210 from both sides

1460 - 210 = 50x + 210 - 210

1250 = 50x

Divide both sides by 50 to isolate the x

1250/50 = 50x / 50

25 = x