word problem algebra

Question

the container that holds the water for the football team is 1/3 full. after pouring in 9 gallons of water it is 5/6 full how many gallons can the container hold

Answer 1

Interesting question Junior, draw a container and divide it in to 6 parts> Now shade the bottom 2 rows for "filled."

Then, possibly using a different color, shade the next 3 rows for - once again "filled." Now you should only have the top row unshaded. Notice how you already answered the question at this point. The second shade takes up three rows and also takes up 9 gallons. That means 3 gallones per row and because you have 6 rows 18 gallons is the answer.

Answer 2

Set T the amount of gallons the container can hold.

 

5/6 T = 1/3 T + 9 ------> 5/6 T - 2/6 T = 9 ---> 3/6 T = 9

 

T = 18 gallons