SOLUTION: A clown weighs 60lb more than a trapeze artist. The trapeze artist weighs two thirds as much as the clown. How much does each weigh? Choice for the weight of the trapeze artist: 11

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Question 214757: A clown weighs 60lb more than a trapeze artist. The trapeze artist weighs two thirds as much as the clown. How much does each weigh? Choice for the weight of the trapeze artist: 110, 120, 125.
Found 2 solutions by rfer, drj:
Answer by rfer(16322) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
60 lbs is 1/3 the total, so artist weighs 120 lbs

Answer by drj(1380) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A clown weighs 60lb more than a trapeze artist. The trapeze artist weighs two thirds as much as the clown. How much does each weigh? Choice for the weight of the trapeze artist: 110, 120, 125.

Step 1. Let x be the weight of the trapeze artist and x+60 is the weight of the clown.

Step 2. x=2%28x%2B60%29%2F3 Trapeze artist weights two thirds as much as the clown.

Step 3. Solving equation in Step 2 yields

x=2%28x%2B60%29%2F3

Multiply by 3 to both sides of equation to get rid of denominator

3x=2%28x%2B60%29=2x%2B120

Subtract 2x to both sides of equation

3x-2x=2x%2B120-2x

x=120

Then weight to clown is

x%2B60=180

Step 4. Weight of trapeze artist is 120 pounds and weight of clown is 180 pounds.

Step 5. ANSWER: Trapeze artist weighs 120 pounds.

I hope the above steps were helpful.

For free Step-By-Step Videos on Introduction to Algebra, please visit http://www.FreedomUniversity.TV/courses/IntroAlgebra or for Trigonometry visit http://www.FreedomUniversity.TV/courses/Trigonometry.

And good luck in your studies!

Respectfully,
Dr J