SOLUTION: Hi the total number of oranges in cartons a and b was 324.when 3/7 of the oranges in carton a were sold, there were twice as many in carton a than carton b. how many were in c

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Linear Equations and Systems Word Problems -> SOLUTION: Hi the total number of oranges in cartons a and b was 324.when 3/7 of the oranges in carton a were sold, there were twice as many in carton a than carton b. how many were in c      Log On


   

Question 983400: Hi
the total number of oranges in cartons a and b was 324.when 3/7 of the oranges in carton a were
sold, there were twice as many in carton a than carton b.
how many were in carton a at first
how many were in carton b at first
thank you
Answer by josgarithmetic(39620) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Original amounts are a and b for how many in cartons a and b.

a%2Bb=324

Sold some leaving 4%2F7 of the number in carton a, so this means carton a had %284%2F7%29%2Aa now in carton a.

Twice as many now in carton a than in carton b:
%28%284%2F7%29%2Aa%29%2Fb=2
-
%284a%29%2F%287b%29=2

4a=2%2A7b

2a=7b

System to solve:
system%28a%2Bb=324%2C2a=7b%29

More than one way to solve.
a=324-b, (choosing substitution)
-
2%28324-b%29=7b
2%2A324-2b=7b
648=9b
highlight%28b=72%29

You can find a.