document.write( "Question 473168: There are 357 calories in two slices of bread and three eggs. There are 217 calories in one slice of bread and two eggs. How many calories are in a slice of bread and how many are in an egg \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #324470 by karaoz(32)![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! The unknown values are: \n" ); document.write( "- number of calories in a slice of bread \n" ); document.write( "- number of calories in an egg \n" ); document.write( " We can use letters b and e to name these two variables (that way it is easier to remember which one represents what, b for bread and e for egg). \n" ); document.write( "b = number of calories in a slice of bread \n" ); document.write( "e = number of calories in an egg \n" ); document.write( "Translate the relevant information into algebraic statements: \r\n" ); document.write( "1st sentence: 2b + 3e = 357\r\n" ); document.write( "2nd sentence: b + 2e = 217\r\n" ); document.write( "3rd sentence: b = ?, e = ? \n" ); document.write( "Solve the system: \r\n" ); document.write( "2b + 3e = 357\r\n" ); document.write( " b + 2e = 217 \n" ); document.write( "Multiply the second equation by (-2) and add the resulting equation to the first one. \n" ); document.write( "The intention here is to eliminate variable b (because it is easier than to eliminate variable e) and reduce the system from 2 equations with 2 unknowns down to 1 equation with 1 unknown. \r\n" ); document.write( " (b + 2e = 217) * (-2)\r\n" ); document.write( "----------------------\r\n" ); document.write( "-2b - 4e = -434 \r\n" ); document.write( " 2b + 3e = 357\r\n" ); document.write( "-2b - 4e = -434\r\n" ); document.write( "----------------------\r\n" ); document.write( " - e = - 77 \n" ); document.write( "Solve the above equation by multiplying it by (-1) \r\n" ); document.write( " (- e = - 77) * (-1)\r\n" ); document.write( "----------------------\r\n" ); document.write( " e = 77 \n" ); document.write( "Solved for e. Now solve for b by using the obtained value for e. \n" ); document.write( "For this purpose, we can use any of the two original equations. \n" ); document.write( "Let's take the second one since it will be easier to solve for e. \r\n" ); document.write( " b + 2e = 217\r\n" ); document.write( " b + 2(77) = 217\r\n" ); document.write( " b + 154 = 217\r\n" ); document.write( " b = 63 \n" ); document.write( "Solved. \n" ); document.write( "Number of calories in a slice of bread is 63. \n" ); document.write( "Number of calories in an egg is 77. \n" ); document.write( " |