Question

Joseph weighs 120 pounds and is gaining ten pounds each month. Keith weighs 150 pounds and is gaining 4 pounds each month. How many months, m, will it take for Joseph to weigh the same as Keith?

Answer 1

Answer:

Step-by-step explanation:

Let J = Joseph, K = Keith, m = number of months

We are told that Joseph weighs 120pounds and gains 10 pound each month.

From this we can write the following equation:

J = 120 + 10m

We also know Keith weights 150 pounds and gains 4 pounds each month, so:

K = 150 + 4m

Since we are trying to find how many months it will take for Joseph to weigh the same as Keith, this means we can say J = K

120 + 10m = 150 + 4m

Subtract 120 from both sides:

10m = 150 + 4m - 120

10m  = 30 +4m

Subtract 4m from both sides:

10m - 4m = 30

6m = 30

Divide both sides by 6 to find "m".

m = 30/6 = 5

Therefore, it will take 5 months for Joseph and Keith to be equal weight.