document.write( "Question 208667: This is my grandson's other problem from his summer worksheet that he doesn't know how to do. Write a series of five decimal numbers that increase by 0.2 and add up to a total of 5. I think I've figured it out just by guessing (.60+.80+1.00+1.20+1.40) but I have no idea how to explain to him the right way to figure this out. There must be a logical solution other than trial and error or guessing. \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #157815 by nerdybill(7384)![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! This is my grandson's other problem from his summer worksheet that he doesn't know how to do. Write a series of five decimal numbers that increase by 0.2 and add up to a total of 5. I think I've figured it out just by guessing (.60+.80+1.00+1.20+1.40) but I have no idea how to explain to him the right way to figure this out. There must be a logical solution other than trial and error or guessing. \n" ); document.write( ". \n" ); document.write( "Let x = first of five decimal numbers \n" ); document.write( "then \n" ); document.write( "x+.2 = second \n" ); document.write( "x+.4 = third \n" ); document.write( "x+.6 = fourth \n" ); document.write( "x+.8 = fifth \n" ); document.write( ". \n" ); document.write( "x + (x+0.2) + (x+0.4) + (x+0.6) + (x+0.8) = 5 \n" ); document.write( "Grouping like-terms: \n" ); document.write( "(x+x+x+x+x) + (0.2+0.4+0.6+0.8) = 5 \n" ); document.write( "5x + 2 = 5 \n" ); document.write( "5x = 5-2 \n" ); document.write( "5x = 3 \n" ); document.write( "x = 3/5 \n" ); document.write( "x = 0.6 (first decimal number) \n" ); document.write( ". \n" ); document.write( "The five numbers are indeed: \n" ); document.write( ".6, .8, 1, 1.2 and 1.4 \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " |