Two​ trains, Train A and Train​ B, weigh a total of 261261 tons. Train A is heavier than Train B. The difference of their weights is 221221 tons. What is the weight of each​ train?

Answer 1

Hi Joshua,

Two​ trains, Train A and Train​ B, weigh a total of 261261 tons. Train A is heavier than Train B. The difference of their weights is 221221 tons. What is the weight of each​ train?

For word problems, I highlight important information and underline the question being asked.

Given:

1. 2 trains (A and B)
2. Their total weight is 261261 tons
3. A is heavier than B
4. Their weight difference is 221221 tons

Find: The weight of each train

Use the information given to create equations.

Let A = weight of A and B = weight of B

Their total weight is 261261 tons

Total means they are asking you to combine their weights.. To add them. Is becomes =

A + B = 261261 tons

A is heavier than B

Their weight difference is 221221 tons

Difference means subtraction, is becomes and = sign

A - B = 221221 tons (Since A is heavier use A-B not B-A)

Now you have 2 equations and 2 unknowns. You can solve the problem

A + B = 261261 tons A - B = 221221 tons

A = 261261-B

A - B = 221221 tons

(261261-B) -B =221221

261261 - 2B = 221221

40040 = 2B

B = 20020 tons

A = 261261-B

A = 241241 tons

You can check and make sure both equations work with those numbers

A + B = 261261 tons and A - B = 221221 tons

241241 + 20020 = 261261 that works

241241 - 20020 = 221221 That works.

Hope this helps!!