SOLUTION: Joan's present weight is 17 pounds less than her weight 2 years ago. If her weight at that time was 8/7 of her present weight, what is her present weight in pounds?
A) 60
B) 68
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-> SOLUTION: Joan's present weight is 17 pounds less than her weight 2 years ago. If her weight at that time was 8/7 of her present weight, what is her present weight in pounds?
A) 60
B) 68
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Question 467503: Joan's present weight is 17 pounds less than her weight 2 years ago. If her weight at that time was 8/7 of her present weight, what is her present weight in pounds?
A) 60
B) 68
C) 119
D) 136
E) 272
I plugged in all the choices (which I know isn't a valid/good method) into this equation I came up with from the information given: (8/7)(X)= X + 17
The answer that worked was C) 119. But I'd like to know how to solve the problem without having to plug in all the numbers.
Thank you! Answer by mananth(16946) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! let Joan be x lb 2 years ago
Present weight = x-17 lb
8/7(x-17) = x
multiply by 7
8x-136=7x
8x-7x=136
x=136
Two years ago she was 136 lb
now she is 136-17 = 119 lb
