Question

A water tank holds 944 gallons but is leaking at a rate of 5 gallons per week. A second water tank holds 1,180 gallons but is leaking at a rate of 9 gallons per week. After how many weeks will the amount of water in the two tanks be the same?

Answer 1

Answer:

59

Step-by-step explanation:

The equation is

944 - 5x = 1180 - 9x

Notice what is being said. You start with 944 gallons and take off 5 per week

You also start with 1180 gallons and take on 9 per week.

You want to know when the two are equal. The second tank is larger, but it leaks more. That's what's going to bring about equality.

Add 9x to both sides

944 - 5x + 9x = 1180

944 + 4x = 1180                

Subtract 944 from both sides.

4x = 1180 - 944

4x = 236      

Divide by 4

x = 236/4

x = 59 weeks