Question

Lewa's hiking backpack weight 5 pounds less than 1/2 the weight of Alani's hiking backpack. Write an expression to describe the weight of Lewa's backpack. How many pounds does Lewa's backpack weight if Alani's backpack wight 36 pounds?

Answer 1

Ok, l = lewa's backpack and a= alai's. :)

1/2a -5 = l.
so to solve,
1/2 (36) - 5 = l.
18 - 5 = l.
13 = l. 

so Lewa's backpack weighs 13 pounds. Hope it helps!