Solving a Math Problem with Equations Containing 2 Variables II

Posted on January 21, 2010 by Fany Savina

Captain Crook attacked a merchant ship and captured the passengers in the ship. At first there were thrice as many male passengers as female passengers. However, the evil captain threw 285 male passengers into the sea to feed the sharks. After that, there were twice as many female passengers as male passengers left. (i) What was the total number of passengers before the unlucky ones became shark bait?

x=women

y=men

 
 

y=3x

y-285=\frac{x}{2}

 
 

(3x-285)=\frac{x}{2}

2(3x-285)=x

6x-570=x

6x-x-570=0

6x-x=570

5x=570

x=\frac{570}{5}

x=114

 
 

y=3x

y=3(114)

y=342

 

(i) What was the total number of passengers before the unlucky ones became shark bait?
= x+y=?

114+342=456

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