Last Updated on May 3, 2023
If Jake loses 8 pounds, he will weigh twice…
Solution:
This problem can be solved as a simple word problem in which we must convert words to math. Before we create our equations, we want to define some variables.
J = Jake’s current weight, in pounds
S = Sister’s current weight, in pounds
We are told that “If Jake loses 8 pounds, he will weigh twice as much as his sister”. We put this into an equation:
J – 8 = 2S
We can isolate J by adding 8 to 2S:
-J = 2S + 8 (Equation 1)
Next, we are told that “Together they now weigh 278 pounds.” We can also put this into an equation.
J + S = 278 (Equation 2)
To solve this equation, we can substitute 2S + 8 from Equation 1 for the variable J in Equation 2:
2S + 8 + S = 278
3S = 270
S = 90.
We now know that the sister weighs S =90 pounds, and we can plug that value into either equation to determine J.
J + 90 = 278
J = 188
Answer: E
