SOLUTION: I would like to know if you could please help me. Thank you for your time and help. Lottery winnings in a certain state will be distributed over a three day period, with the nu

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Misc -> SOLUTION: I would like to know if you could please help me. Thank you for your time and help. Lottery winnings in a certain state will be distributed over a three day period, with the nu      Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


   



Question 267735: I would like to know if you could please help me. Thank you for your time and help.
Lottery winnings in a certain state will be distributed over a three day period, with the number of winners each day increasing by 2. If the lottery will distribute 27 prizes, how many will be awarded each day?
Our teacher said to fill each of these steps when trying to solve the given problem.
1) Write down what you know
2) What am I trying to find?
3) Make a table with the given/not given information
4) Write an algebraic equation relating the information and solve
5) Make sure your answer makes sense (no negatives)

Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let x = number of people who win on day 1

So on day 2, there are x%2B2 winners (since "the number of winners each day increasing by 2") and on day 3 there are %28x%2B2%29%2B2=x%2B4 winners.


To recap, on day 1, there are 'x' winners. On day 2, there are x%2B2 winners. Finally, on day 3, there are x%2B4 winners. Over the course of three days, there are %28x%29%2B%28x%2B2%29%2B%28x%2B4%29 winners (just add up the individual winner counts). Simplify to get 3x%2B6. So over the course of 3 days, there are 3x%2B6 winners. But since we know that " the lottery will distribute 27 prizes" over the course of 3 days, this means that 3x%2B6=27. From here, simply solve for 'x'. Once you have 'x', you can find 'x+2' and 'x+4'.