SOLUTION: Can someone help please. I'm having trouble trying to figure out this word problem. I'm doing a section from the book called Elimination by Addition Method Thank you. A fulcr

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Question 609493: Can someone help please.
I'm having trouble trying to figure out this word problem.
I'm doing a section from the book called Elimination by Addition Method
Thank you.
A fulcrum is placed so that weights of 60 pounds and 100 pounds are in balance. If 20 pounds is subtracted from the 100 pound weight, then the 60 pound weight must be moved 1 foot closer to the fulcrum to preserve the balance. Find the original distance between the 60 pound and 100 pound weights.
Answer by scott8148(6628) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
the weights balance because the product of each weight and its distance from the fulcrum are equal
___ 60x = 100y ___ where x is the distance of the 60 lb weight and y is the distance of the 100 lb weight

"If 20 pounds is subtracted from the 100 pound weight,
then the 60 pound weight must be moved 1 foot closer to the fulcrum to preserve the balance"
___ 60(x - 1) = (100 - 20)y ___ 60x - 60 = 80y ___ 60 - 60x = -80y

adding the 1st equation ___ 60 - 60x + (60x) = -80y + (100y) ___ 60 = 20y

solve for y, then substitute back to find x