document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=93850>Question 93850</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> I have to solve this with a equation.  Thanks!<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Five stones together weigh 24 pounds.  The middle one weighs 4 times as much as the smallest.  The largest weighs 3 times as much as the second smallest.  The second smallest weighs 3 times as much as the smallest.  The fourth smallest weighs as much as the second and third smallest together.  How much does each stone weigh? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #68386 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=ankor@dixie-net.com><B>ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=ankor@dixie-net.com><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=ankor@dixie-net.com><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=68386\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Five stones together weigh 24 pounds. The middle one weighs 4 times as much as the smallest. The largest weighs 3 times as much as the second smallest. The second smallest weighs 3 times as much as the smallest. The fourth smallest weighs as much as the second and third smallest together. How much does each stone weigh?<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Stones: a, b, c, d, e; (smallest to largest)<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Write an equation for each statement:<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Five stones together weigh 24 pounds. <BR>\n" );
document.write( "Eq1: a + b + c + d + e = 2<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The middle one weighs 4 times as much as the smallest.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Eq2: c = 4a<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The largest weighs 3 times as much as the second smallest.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Eq3: e = 3b<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The second smallest weighs 3 times as much as the smallest. <BR>\n" );
document.write( "Eq4: b = 3a<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The fourth smallest weighs as much as the second  and third smallest together.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "d = b + c<BR>\n" );
document.write( "d = (3a) + (4a); from equation 2 and 4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "d = 7a<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Look at Eq3:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "e = 3b<BR>\n" );
document.write( "e = 3(3a) from Eq4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "e = 9a<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "How much does each stone weigh?<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Substitute our derived equations for the last 4 variables in Eq1:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a + b + c + d + e = 24<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a + 3a + 4a + 7a + 9a = 24<BR>\n" );
document.write( "24a = 24<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a = 1 lb<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Find the rest:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "b = 3a<BR>\n" );
document.write( "b = 3<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "c = 4a lb<BR>\n" );
document.write( "c = 4 lb<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "d = 7a<BR>\n" );
document.write( "d = 7 lb<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "e = 9a<BR>\n" );
document.write( "e = 9 lb<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Check: 1 + 3 + 4 + 7 + 9 = 24<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Did this help? </SPAN>\n" );
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