SOLUTION: Bob and Joe have 480 marbles between them. Bob arranges them in columns with 6 in each column, and Joe arranges them with 9 in each column. The total number of columns is 72. Exp

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: Bob and Joe have 480 marbles between them. Bob arranges them in columns with 6 in each column, and Joe arranges them with 9 in each column. The total number of columns is 72. Exp      Log On


   

Question 82914: Bob and Joe have 480 marbles between them. Bob arranges them in columns with 6 in each column, and Joe arranges them with 9 in each column. The total number of columns is 72. Express the above information in the form of an algebraic equation.


Answer by Nate(3500) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Bob and Joe have 480 marbles between them. Bob arranges them in columns with 6 in each column, and Joe arranges them with 9 in each column. The total number of columns is 72. Express the above information in the form of an algebraic equation.
Say you have 12 marbles in a 6 column .... 12 / 6 = 2 columns
18 marbles in a 6 column ... 18 / 6 = 3 columns
So: x / 6 where x is the amount of marbles Bob has
This leads us to: y / 9 where y is the amount of marbles Joe has
Joe would have x less marbles from 480 than Bob would ... y = 480 - x
So: (480 - x) / 9
The sum of the columns = 72
x / 6 + (480 - x) / 9 = 72
x + 6(480 - x) / 9 = 432
x + 2(480 - x) / 3 = 432
3x + 2(480 - x) = 1296
3x + 960 - 2x = 1296
x = 336
Plug in the numbers from there.