SOLUTION: The ABC Shipping Company charges $290 for all packages weighing less than or equal to 5lbs, $520 for packages weighing more than 5lbs and less than 10lbs, and $800 for all packages

Algebra.Com
Question 1141607: The ABC Shipping Company charges $290 for all packages weighing less than or equal to 5lbs, $520 for packages weighing more than 5lbs and less than 10lbs, and $800 for all packages weighing 10lbs or more. the number of packages weighing 5lbs or less is 50% more than the number of packages weighing 10lbs or more. one day shipping charges for 300 orders was $150,800. find the number of packages in each category.
Answer by ikleyn(52786)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.

Let x = # of packages weighing 101 lbs or more.



Then the number of packages weighting 51 lbs or less is 1.5x,

and the number of packages weighting between 51 lbs and 101 lbs is  (300 - x - 1.5x) = (300-2.5x).



So you have this single equation for x


    290*(1.5x) + 520*(300-2.5x) + 800x = 150800.



The setup is done. The rest is just technique.



Solve for x and then find the number of packages in each category.

---------------

The lesson to learn from my solution is THIS:

    the problem is to be solved using only one equation for one single unknown - 

    not two equations for 2 unknowns and not 3 equations for 3 unknowns.


    Your major task in solving such problems is to "catch" this fact and then to choose the leading unknown 
    and to build an equation around it.


/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

To see many other similar solved problems,  look into the lessons
    - Advanced word problems to solve using a single linear equation
    - HOW TO algebreze and solve these problems using one equation in one unknown
in this site.



RELATED QUESTIONS

marta is shipping 50 packages. Each package weighs 520 grams. The transport company... (answered by macston)
United Express, a national package delivery service, charges a base price for overnight... (answered by ikleyn)
Could someone help me with his word problem? Solve by any method and show equations... (answered by Nate)
I have been working and reworking this problem all night and day; please help if... (answered by Paul)
post office charges a flat fee of 1.50 for any package under 2 pounds. for a package... (answered by texttutoring)
40A firm packages and ships 1-pound jars of instant coffee. The cost C of shipping is 40 (answered by stanbon)
Is it 90 minutes? I want to check my answer. Ali has hired Mark and Alexis to work... (answered by ikleyn,MathLover1,MathTherapy,greenestamps)
The postal service of a country charges $0.38 postage for a letter weighing up to 1... (answered by rfer)
A candy store buys candy weighing 12 lb for $13.44. The candy is repackaged and sold in 6 (answered by Alan3354)