document.write( "Question 333686: IF THERE WERE 32 SEATS AND 72 WHEELS, HOW MANY BICYCLES AND TRICYCLES WERE THERE? \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #239100 by jrfrunner(365) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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let b=number of bicycles
\n" ); document.write( "let t=number of tricycles
\n" ); document.write( "--
\n" ); document.write( "given: 32 seats and 72 wheels
\n" ); document.write( "need: b and t
\n" ); document.write( "===
\n" ); document.write( "since each bicycle and each tricycle has one seat, there must be a total of 32 bicycles and tricycles:
\n" ); document.write( "first equation: b +t =32
\n" ); document.write( "--
\n" ); document.write( "Since each bicycle has 2 wheels and each tricycle has 3 wheels
\n" ); document.write( "second equation: 2*b+3*t=72
\n" ); document.write( "--
\n" ); document.write( "solve the first equation for one of the variables, say b
\n" ); document.write( "b=32-t
\n" ); document.write( "----
\n" ); document.write( "substitute b=32-t into second equation
\n" ); document.write( "2*(32-t) +3*t = 72
\n" ); document.write( "64-2t+3t=72
\n" ); document.write( "64+t=72
\n" ); document.write( "t=8
\n" ); document.write( "and b=32-t=32-8=24
\n" ); document.write( "==
\n" ); document.write( "there you go 8 tricycles and 24 bicycles
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