SOLUTION: Suppose that the weight (in pounds) of an airplane is a linear function of the amount of fuel (in gallons) in its tank. When carrying 15 gallons of fuel, the airplane weighs 2187 p

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Question 1111735: Suppose that the weight (in pounds) of an airplane is a linear function of the amount of fuel (in gallons) in its tank. When carrying 15 gallons of fuel, the airplane weighs 2187 pounds. When carrying 35 gallons of fuel, it weighs 2303 pounds. How much does the airplane weigh if it is carrying 50 gallons of fuel?
Found 2 solutions by ikleyn, josgarithmetic:
Answer by ikleyn(52798)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.
From the condition, the weight of 1 gallon of fuel is 


w =  = 4.2 pounds.


Now, to answer the question, we need to add the weight of (50-35) = 15 gallons of fuel to the weight of the plane 
carrying 35 gallons of fuel, 2303 pounds.


So, the answer is 2303 + 15*4.2 = 2366 pounds.

Answer. 2366 pounds.

Solved.

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Similar problems were solved in this forum before. See the links

https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/coordinate/word/Linear_Equations_And_Systems_Word_Problems.faq.question.1083351.html

https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/coordinate/word/Linear_Equations_And_Systems_Word_Problems.faq.question.295935.html

https://www.algebra.com/algebra/college/linear/Linear_Algebra.faq.question.1102168.html


See also the lesson
    - Solving mentally word problems on two equations in two unknowns
in this site.


I advise you to read this lesson to learn what is a "good style" in solving such problems.



Answer by josgarithmetic(39620)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
(x,y) for fuel x and plane weight y

Points from the description are (15, 2187) and (35, 2303).

Find y if x is 50.








Now, let x=50 and find y.
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