Lucy is shipping 5 boxes that all weigh the same, and 1 envelope that weighs 7.5 pounds. The total weight of the shipment is 65 pounds. What is the weight, in pounds, of each box?

Question

Use linear equation to solve

Answer 1

Hello,

In looking at this problem, I can see a linear equation being created and then putting in values given to solve for the value of X or the weight of one box.

I would take the information given to create a basic equation:

Number of boxes times weight of individual box, plus the weight of one envelope equals total shipping weight.

5X + 7.5 = Y

Put in what we know which is the total shipping weight for the 5 boxes and one envelope.

65= 5X + 7.5

Now solve for X:

65-7.5 = 5X +7.5-7.5

57.5 = 5X

57.5/5 = 5X/5

11.5 = X

Each box weighs 11.5 pounds.