Forth Edition Word Translations, Alegbra, Ch 1 Pg 23 Q7

[saurabhbanerjeeiimk]

The question reads as " Carina has 100 ounces of coffee divided into 5= and 10- ounce packages.

Can you solve the question using ONE variable instead of using two, as explained in the answer

[jnelson0612]

The question reads as " Carina has 100 ounces of coffee divided into 5= and 10- ounce packages.

Can you solve the question using ONE variable instead of using two, as explained in the answer

Well, the variables in this explanation, "a" and "b", stand for the number of 5 and 10 ounce packages, respectively. The problem tells us that there are two more 5 ounce packages than 10 ounce packages. You could say that there are "a" 5 ounce packages and "a-2" 10 ounce packages. You would then set up the equation as:

5a + 10(a-2) = 100
5a + 10a - 20 = 100
15a=120
a=8

So there are eight 5 ounce packages and six 10 ounce packages. It works!