SOLUTION: The ratio of the number of reds to the number of blues was 2 to 1, and 5 times the sum of the number of reds and blues exceeded 3 times the number of whites by 12. If there were 4

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Linear Equations and Systems Word Problems -> SOLUTION: The ratio of the number of reds to the number of blues was 2 to 1, and 5 times the sum of the number of reds and blues exceeded 3 times the number of whites by 12. If there were 4      Log On


   



Question 67415This question is from textbook Advanced mathematics
: The ratio of the number of reds to the number of blues was 2 to 1, and 5 times the sum of the number of reds and blues exceeded 3 times the number of whites by 12. If there were 4 more whites than blues, how many were red, how many were white, and how many were blue? This question is from textbook Advanced mathematics

Answer by ptaylor(2198) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
We will let:
x=number of reds
y=number of whites
z=number of blues

Now we are told the following:
x/z=2/1 cross multiply
x=2z-------------------------our 1st equation
We are also told that:
5(x+z)=3y+12-----------------our 2nd equation
They also tell us:
y=z+4------------------------our 3rd equation
substitute x=2z into our 2nd eq. and we get
5(2z+z)=3y+12
15z=3y+12 Now substitute y=z+4 into this equation:
15z=3(z+4)+12;
15z=3z+12+12 subtract 3z from both sides and collect like terms;
12z=24
z=2 ----------------------------------number of blue balls
substitute z=2 into our 3rd eq.
y=z+4=2+4=6---------------------------number of white balls
substitute z=2 into our 1st eq
x=2z=2*2=4-----------------------------number of red balls
ck
(1) ratio of red balls to blue balls is 2/1; 4/2=2/1 CHECKS
(2) 5 times the sum of the number of reds and blues exceeded 3 times the number of whites by 12. 5*6-12=3*6 or 18=18-------CHECKS
(3) there were 4 more whites than blues 6-2=4 CHECKS

Hope this helps---ptaylor