# Algebra equation question

1. Sep 8, 2013

### Chas3down

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Start with 4 pails of water. Each trip, you gain 2 pails of water. What equation represents number of pails over time

2. Relevant equations
N/A

3. The attempt at a solution
y = 2x + 4 should be the correct answer.

But my options are
y=4x + 2
y=x/4 + 2
y=x/2 + 4
y=3x + 3

Why is it not 2x + 4?

2. Sep 8, 2013

### pasmith

The only option consistent with starting with 4 pails is y = x/2 + 4, which makes sense only if a trip takes 4 units of time and x represents elapsed time rather than number of trips. I would suggest rereading the question to see if you've missed something along those lines.

3. Sep 8, 2013

### Chas3down

Here is the word for word question, the only information we get...

Jack and Jill had 4 pails of water. Each trip up the hill, jack and jill obtain 2 more buckets of water. Which equation represent pails over time?
Perhaps a type, because I noticed another type later in the homework as well.

4. Sep 8, 2013

### pasmith

I agree that $2x + 4$ is the only sensible answer, so the question must be wrong.