Question 368101
Let {{{t}}} = weight of tail
Let {{{b}}} = weight of body
Let {{{h}}} = weight of head
given:
{{{t = 9}}}
{{{h = t + b/2}}}
{{{b = h + t}}}
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By substitution:
{{{h = 9 + b/2}}}
{{{2h = 18 + b}}}
(1) {{{2h - b = 18}}}
and
{{{b = h + 9}}}
(2) {{{h - b = -9}}}
Subtract (2) from (1)
(1) {{{2h - b = 18}}}
(2) {{{-h + b = 9}}}
{{{h = 27}}}
And, since,
{{{b = h + 9}}}
{{{b = 27 + 9}}}
{{{b = 36}}}
The fish weighed {{{9 + 27 + 36 = 72}}} pounds
check answer:
{{{h = t + b/2}}}
{{{27 = 9 + 36/2}}}
{{{27 = 9 + 18}}}
{{{27 = 27}}}
and
{{{b = h + t}}}
{{{36 = 27 + 9}}}
{{{36 = 36}}}
OK