Question 93850
Five stones together weigh 24 pounds. 
The middle one weighs 4 times as much as the smallest. 
The largest weighs 3 times as much as the second smallest. 
The second smallest weighs 3 times as much as the smallest. 
The fourth smallest weighs as much as the second and third smallest together. How much does each stone weigh?
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To avoid fraction always let the smallest be "x".
middle = 4x
2nd smallest = 3x
largest = 3*3x=9x
4th smallest = 3x+(3rd smallest)
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EQUATION:
x + 4x + 3x + 9x + 3x + 3rd smallest = 24
20x + 3rd smallest = 24.
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You now have two variables because you did not include any information
at the 3rd smallest.
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Cheers,
Stan H.