Word problem need help

Question

in a recent sga election, the two candidates for president received a total 750 votes. the winner received five times as many votes than the loser. how many votes did the winner receive?

Answer 1

In order to solve this you need to form an equation so first, let's assign a variable.

Let's make the loser "x"

So then the winner will be "x times 5" or "5x"

The total is given to us as 750.

Putting all of this together you get: x + 5x = 750

OR loser votes + winner votes = 750

Now we just have to solve it.

Step 1: Combine the variables

6x = 750

Step 2: Divide to get x alone

x = 125

Using this information: we said earlier that x is loser votes so the loser got 125 votes.

The winner was 5x so we have to multiply 125*5.

So, the winner had 625 votes.

To CHECK OUR ANSWER

we just have to add 125+625 which in fact does give us the given total of 750.