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Example 8.11 from Prealgebra, 8.1 Solve Equations Using the Subtraction and Addition Properties of Equality
Solve Equations Using the Subtraction and Addition Properties of Equality: example 8.11
The Robles family has two dogs, Buster and Chandler. Together, they weigh pounds.
Chandler weighs pounds. How much does Buster weigh?
Work it out on paper first. Then open the solution one step at a time, and stop as soon as you can finish on your own.
Solution
Read the problem carefully. Identify what you are asked to find, and choose a variable to represent it. How much does Buster weigh?
Let Buster's weightWrite a sentence that gives the information to find it. Buster's weight plus Chandler's weight equals 71 pounds. We will restate the problem, and then include the given information. Buster's weight plus 28 equals 71. Translate the sentence into an equation, using the variable . Solve the equation using good algebraic techniques.
Check the answer in the problem and make sure it makes sense. Is 43 pounds a reasonable weight for a dog? Yes. Does Buster's weight plus Chandler's weight equal 71 pounds? Write a complete sentence that answers the question, "How much does Buster weigh?" Buster weighs 43 pounds
Your turn
The book's Try It right after this example: same idea, new numbers. Only the answer is given.
Translate into an algebraic equation and solve: The Pappas family has two cats, Zeus and Athena. Together, they weigh pounds. Zeus weighs pounds. How much does Athena weigh?
How did it go?