SOLUTION: A salesman knows he has 36 tables in his store room, some of which have 3 legs and other 4 legs. He discovers by counting that there are 124 legs. How many tables with 4 legs does

Algebra ->  Equations -> SOLUTION: A salesman knows he has 36 tables in his store room, some of which have 3 legs and other 4 legs. He discovers by counting that there are 124 legs. How many tables with 4 legs does       Log On


   

Question 186564: A salesman knows he has 36 tables in his store room, some of which have 3 legs and other 4 legs. He discovers by counting that there are 124 legs. How many tables with 4 legs does he have?

(3x / 36)+(4x / 36) = 124
12x + 9x = 124
Found 2 solutions by vleith, solver91311:
Answer by vleith(2983) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
let t be three legged tables and f be four legged ones
t+%2B+f+=+36
3t+%2B+4f+=+124
Use elimination
t+%2B+f+=+36 multiply by 3
3t+%2B+3f+=+108
3t+%2B+4f+=+124 subtract
--------------------
-f = -16
f = 16
so t = 36-16 = 20
Does 3*20 + 4*16 = 124?

Answer by solver91311(24713) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


Number of 3-legged tables: x

Number of 4-legged tables: y

Number of tables: x + y = 36 → x = 36 - y

Number of legs: 3x + 4y = 124

Substitute:



Solve for y to get the number of 4-legged tables.

John