Two small pitchers one large. 8 cups of water. Large minus small is 2 cups.

Question

Two small pitchers and one large pitcher can hold 8 cups of water. One large pitcher minus one small pitcher constitutes 2 cups of water. How many cups of water can each pitcher hold?

Answer 1

Let x =  capacity (in cups) of one large pitcher

      y = capacity (in cups) of one small pitcher

 

Then, x + 2y = 8

         x -    y  = 2

 

Subtracting the equations, we get 3y = 6.  So, y = 2.

 

Substitute for y into one of the original equations:  x - 2 = 2

 

So, x = 4.

 

ANSWER:  each large pitcher holds 4 cups and each small one holds                    2 cups.