# solve algebra word problem

• December 1st 2008, 07:46 AM
babyx0dolx
solve algebra word problem
How heavy is a turkey that weighs 5 pounds less than another turkey that is three times the weight of the first turkey?
• December 1st 2008, 07:51 AM
Chop Suey
Let a be the weight of the first turkey, b be the weight of the second turkey

$a=b-5$

$b=3a \implies a = 3a-5 \implies 2a = 5$

$a = \ldots$
• December 1st 2008, 07:53 AM
Inti
Turkey A weighs $x$ pounds.

Turkey B weighs $3x$ pounds (since weghs 3 times the weight of turkey A.

Turkey A weighs 5 pounds less than turkey B, so

$x=3x-5$ solving that equation you get both turkey´s weight...(Wink)
• December 1st 2008, 08:00 AM
babyx0dolx
so the answer is ...x= 3x-5..?
• December 1st 2008, 08:02 AM
janvdl
Quote:

Originally Posted by babyx0dolx
so the answer is ...x= 3x-5..?

Whether the variable is a or x it doesn't matter. Both are right.
• December 1st 2008, 08:03 AM
Chop Suey
No, that's not the final answer. You have to solve for x.
• December 1st 2008, 08:03 AM
Inti
No, you have to find X from the equation.
Do you know how??
Nobody wants to tell you because it´s too easy...
• December 1st 2008, 08:08 AM
babyx0dolx
?
no i dnt knw how to do it im in 7th grade and i love math my teacher gave me this as a bonus question on a test knowing we hadnt learn this yet and now i really want to learn how to do it
• December 1st 2008, 08:16 AM
Inti
ok, so let´s do it....

$x=3x-5$
$5=3x-x$
$5=2x$
$5/2=x$

Your turkey weighs 2 and a half pounds.

It´s your teacher who should teach you that, not us. She gets paid for it, we don´t...(Rofl)
• December 1st 2008, 08:17 AM
janvdl
Quote:

Originally Posted by Inti
ok, so let´s do it....

$x=3x-5$
$5=3x-x$
$5=2x$
$5/2=x$

Your turkey weighs 5 and a half pounds.

It´s your teacher who should teach you that, not us. She gets paid for it, we don´t...(Rofl)

No, 2.5 pounds.

Besides that, we are here to offer free help. Period. Clearly she wants to learn and not just want her homework solved. So we will help.
• December 1st 2008, 08:20 AM
Inti
Hey, I was joking...
and the weight was a slip off
anyone could have it, sorry
• December 1st 2008, 08:21 AM
babyx0dolx
okkkkk so the answer is the turkey is 5 and a half pounds or do i now need to take 3x-5+3x-x+2x+x? or what
• December 1st 2008, 08:21 AM
janvdl
Quote:

Originally Posted by Inti
Hey, I was joking...
and the weight was a slip off
anyone could have it, sorry

Of course. It's not a problem if you make a mistake like that.
• December 1st 2008, 08:22 AM
janvdl
Quote:

Originally Posted by babyx0dolx
okkkkk so the answer is the turkey is 5 and a half pounds or do i now need to take 3x-5+3x-x+2x+x? or what

I suggest you have your teacher run through this with you. It seems you don't know anything about solving equalities yet. Let him/her do the basics with you and we should be able to assist further.
• December 1st 2008, 08:26 AM
Inti
Exactly.
Teaching 1st degree equations must be one of the hardest things to do...

babyx0dolx, I made a little mistake and I edited my post: the answer is 5/2 pounds which is the same as two and a half pounds (2.5 pounds, if you like it).