SOLUTION: A 2/3 full container of coal weighs 925 pounds. When the container is 5/12 full of coal, it weighs 625 pounds. How many pounds does the container weigh?

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Question 1059087: A 2/3 full container of coal weighs 925 pounds. When the container is 5/12 full of coal, it weighs 625 pounds. How many pounds does the container weigh?
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
This could be better understood solving in two parts. First, what is the amount of coal if the container were full? Call this number, M.

Difference between twothirds full and five-twelths full is 300 pound difference. See 925pounds-625pounds=300pounds.

%282%2F3-5%2F12%29M=300-----main starting equation.

12%282%2F3-5%2F12%29M=12%2A300

%288-5%29M=12%2A300

3M=12%2A300

highlight%28M=1200%29------the weight of just the coal IF container were full.


SECOND PART

How much coal is in the 2%2F3 full container?
%282%2F3%29%2A1200=800%2Apounds-----The reason that the container with the coal is heavier is, that the container AND the coal weigh more than just either of them alone.

ContainerWithCoal-JustTheCoal=JustTheContainer

925-800=125
The container alone weighs 125 pounds.