Question

A car-carrier trailer weighs 35,000 pounds when empty. The driver loads 7 cars on the trailer. The cars are identical except for color. The weight of the loaded trailer is 50,855 pounds. The maximum vehicle weight allowed on U.S. highways is 80,000 pounds. What number best describes the weight of one car?

Answer 1

Answer:

Each car weighs 2,265 pounds

Step-by-step explanation:

Given that the car carrier weighs 35,000 pounds when empty, that is, without cars, and that loading 7 cars its weight is 50,855 pounds, the difference between both values implies the weight of the 7 cars together, which is determined through the following calculation:

50,855 - 35,000 = X

15.855 = X

Thus, the weight of the 7 cars together is 15,855 pounds. In turn, the weight of each particular car is determined from the following division:

15.855 / 7 = X

2,265 = X

Therefore, each car weighs about 2,265 pounds.