Tina has some ants and worms. There are 20 more ants than worms. Altogether, there are 80 insects. Let a represent the number of ants and w represent the number of worms. The following system of equations represents this situation: a−20=w a+w=80 How many ants and worms does Tina have?
Question
Answer:
a = number of antsw = number of worms
There are 20 more ants than worms.
⇒ a - 20 = w
There are 80 insects.
⇒ a + w = 80
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Solve for a and w :
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a -20 = w -------------- (1)
a + w = 80 -------------- (2)
Substitute equation (1) into (2) :
a + (a - 20) = 80
a + a - 20 = 80
2a - 20 = 80 // combine like terms
2a = 100 // add 20 to both sides
a = 50 // divide by 2 on both sides
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Sub a = 30 into equation (1) :
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a - 20 = w
50 - 20 = w
w = 30
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Find ants and worms :
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ants = a = 50
worms = w = 30
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Answer: There are 50 ants and 30 worms.
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solved
general
11 months ago
4561