SOLUTION: A barrel of honey weighs 100 pounds. The same barrel with kerosene in it weighs 70 pounds. If honey is three time as heavy as kerosene, how much does the empty barrel weight?

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Linear Equations and Systems Word Problems -> SOLUTION: A barrel of honey weighs 100 pounds. The same barrel with kerosene in it weighs 70 pounds. If honey is three time as heavy as kerosene, how much does the empty barrel weight?      Log On


   

Question 501744: A barrel of honey weighs 100 pounds. The same barrel with kerosene in it weighs 70 pounds. If honey is three time as heavy as kerosene, how much does the empty barrel weight?
Found 2 solutions by Alan3354, josmiceli:
Answer by Alan3354(69443) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A barrel of honey weighs 100 pounds. The same barrel with kerosene in it weighs 70 pounds. If honey is three time as heavy as kerosene, how much does the empty barrel weight?
-----------------
b + 3k = 100
b + k = 70
------------ Subtract
2k = 30
k = 15 pounds of kerosene
-----------
b = 70 - 15
b = 55 pounds

Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let b = the weight of the barrel in pounds
given:
+100+-+b+ = weight of honey in pounds
+70+-+b+ = weight of kerosene in pounds
The barrel has the same volume in each weighing, so I can say
+100+-+b+=+3%2A%2870+-+b%29+
---------------------
+100+-+b+=+210+-+3b+
+2b+=+210+-+100+
+2b+=+110+
+b+=+55+
The barrel weighs 55 pounds
check:
+100+-+b+=+45+ (weight of just the honey)
+70+-+b+=+15+ (weight of just the kerosene)
+45+=+3%2A15+
+45+=+45+
OK