SOLUTION: This nut bread contains: 3 times as many pecans as Brazil nuts, one more walnut than Brazil nuts, 6 nuts in all How do I set this problem up? I am in pre algebra and we are

Algebra ->  Equations -> SOLUTION: This nut bread contains: 3 times as many pecans as Brazil nuts, one more walnut than Brazil nuts, 6 nuts in all How do I set this problem up? I am in pre algebra and we are      Log On


   

Question 511329: This nut bread contains:
3 times as many pecans as Brazil nuts, one more walnut than Brazil nuts, 6 nuts in all

How do I set this problem up? I am in pre algebra and we are simplifying algebraic equations. It is confusing to me.
Thank you!
Found 2 solutions by stanbon, josmiceli:
Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
This nut bread contains:
3 times as many pecans as Brazil nuts, one more walnut than Brazil nuts, 6 nuts in all
====
Let number of Brazil nuts be "x"
Then number of walnuts is "x+1"
And number of pecans is "3x"
----
Equation:
x + x+1 + 3x = 6
5x + 1 = 6
5x = 5
x = 1
---
# of Brazil nuts = x = 1
# of walnuts is x+1 = 2
# of pecans is 3x = 3*1 = 3
=================================
Cheers,
Stan H.
==============

Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You can say
Let +p+ = number of pecans
Let +b+ = number of Brazil nuts
Let +w+ = number of walnuts
given:
(1) +p+=+3b+
(2) +w+=+b+%2B+1+
(3) +p+%2B+b+%2B+w+=+6+
----------------
There are 3 equations and 3 unknowns, so
this is solvable.
It's not easy going from the words to the equation.
I still get confused sometimes, so keep working at it.