Question

Cidnee is weighing combinations of geometric solids. She found that 4 cylinders and 5 prisms weigh 32 ounces and that 1 cylinder and 8 prisms weigh 35 ounces. Write and solve a system of equations to determine the weight of each cylinder and prism.

Answer 1

Answer:

The weights of each cylinder and prism are 3 and 4 ounces, respectively.

Step-by-step explanation:

Let be $x$ and $y$ the masses of a cylinder and a prism, measured in ounces, respectively. After a careful reading of the statement we get the following linear equations by interpretation:

i) She found that 4 cylinders and 5 prisms weigh 32 ounces:

$4\cdot x +5\cdot y = 32\,oz$ (Eq. 1)

ii) And that 1 cylinder and 8 prisms weigh 35 ounces:

$x + 8\cdot y = 35\,oz$ (Eq. 2)

Now we solve the system of linear equations algebraically:

From (Eq. 2):

$x = 35 - 8\cdot y$

(Eq. 2) is (Eq. 1):

$4\cdot (35-8\cdot y) + 5\cdot y = 32$

$140-32\cdot y +5\cdot y = 32$

$32\cdot y - 5\cdot y = 140-32$

$27\cdot y = 108$

$y = 4\,oz$

From (Eq. 2):

$x = 35 - 8\cdot (4)$

$x = 35 - 32$

$x = 3\,oz$

The weights of each cylinder and prism are 3 and 4 ounces, respectively.