Another word problem involving a linear system.

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a word problem involving a linear system related to the quantities of different types of jugs (pint, quart, and gallon) used to hold lemonade for a company picnic. Participants are exploring how to set up equations based on the relationships between the jugs and the total volume of lemonade purchased, which is 22 gallons.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes variables for the number of quart jugs ($x$), pint jugs ($2x$), and gallon jugs ($x-8$) based on the problem statement.
  • Another participant suggests equating the total volume of lemonade from each type of jug to the total of 22 gallons, emphasizing the need to convert units consistently.
  • Several participants attempt different approaches to set up their equations, with varying results and methods of conversion between jugs and gallons.
  • One participant expresses uncertainty about their solution and asks for feedback on their calculations, noting discrepancies with another participant's results.
  • Another participant questions the terms used in an equation presented by someone else, seeking clarification on the derivation of those terms.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the correct solution, as multiple participants have proposed different approaches and results. Some participants agree on the initial setup of variables, but the subsequent calculations lead to differing conclusions.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working with different assumptions about how to convert between the various jug sizes and how to set up their equations, leading to unresolved discrepancies in their solutions.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students learning about linear systems, unit conversions, and problem-solving strategies in mathematical contexts.

paulmdrdo1
Messages
382
Reaction score
0
during its annual picnic, a company supplies lemonade for all employees and their families. the picnic committee has purchased twice as many pint jugs as quart jugs and 8 fewer gallon jugs than quart jugs. how many jugs of each type are there if 22 gallons of lemonade were purchased? (there 2 pints to a quarts and 4 quarts to a gallon.)

let
$x$= number of quart jugs
$2x=$ number pint jugs
$x-8$ = number of gallon jugs.

can you help me how i will set up my equation?
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
Re: Another word problems.

You want to add up the number of gallons that each set of jugs can hold, and equate this to the total number of gallons purchased.

For example, if you have 12 quart jugs, how many gallons do they contain?
 
Re: Another word problems.

You will, of course, need to know how many pints there are in gallon and how many quarts in a gallon.
 
Re: Another word problems.

paulmdrdo said:
during its annual picnic, a company supplies lemonade for all employees and their families. the picnic committee has purchased twice as many pint jugs as quart jugs and 8 fewer gallon jugs than quart jugs. how many jugs of each type are there if 22 gallons of lemonade were purchased? (there 2 pints to a quarts and 4 quarts to a gallon.)

let
$x$= number of quart jugs
$2x=$ number pint jugs
$x-8$ = number of gallon jugs.

can you help me how i will set up my equation?

Your equations are set up well. The next step would be to make sure your units are all the same - for this exercise I would recommend using pints.

Can you work out from the information given how many pints there are in a quart and how many pints in a gallon?
 
Re: Another word problems.


i will use the unit of gallons here

$x=$ number of quart jugs
$2x=$ number pint jugs
$x−8$= number of gallon jugs

using the given information i'll have
$\frac{1}{4}x=$ # of quart jugs(in gallons)

$\frac{1}{4}x=$ # of pint jugs(in gallons)

$\frac{1}{4}x-8=$ # of gallon jugs.

setting my equation,

$\frac{1}{4}x+\frac{1}{4}x+\frac{1}{4}x-8=22$

$\frac{3}{4}x=30$

$3x=120$ then, $x=40$

now i have,
$40$ quart jugs. converting it to gallons i'll have 10 gallons.
$80$ pint jugs equivalent also to 10 gallons.
$40$quartz-8= $(10-8)$gallons = 2 gallons

10gallons+10gallons+2gallons=22 gallons.

i think i got it right. but can you give me comment on my solution.
 
Re: Another word problems.

i also tried solving by choosing unknown represent $x=$# gallons jug and this is what i get,

$x=$# of gallon jug.
$x+8$=# of quart jug ---> convert to gallons
$2x+16=$#of pint jug----> convert to gallons

then,$x=$# of gallon jug

$\frac{1}{4}x+2=$#of quart jug(in gal.)

$\frac{1}{4}x+2=$# pint jug (in gal.)

$x+\frac{1}{4}x+2+\frac{1}{4}x+2=22$

$\frac{2}{4}x+x+4=22$

$x=12$

now there is 12 gallon jug, 5 gallon jug(20 quart jug), 5 gallon jug(40 pint jug).

12+5+5= 22 gallons. the total gallons matches. but the individual gallons doesn't conform with my solution above. which one is correct? please help!
 
Re: Another word problems.

paulmdrdo said:
during its annual picnic, a company supplies lemonade for all employees and their families. the picnic committee has purchased twice as many pint jugs as quart jugs and 8 fewer gallon jugs than quart jugs. how many jugs of each type are there if 22 gallons of lemonade were purchased? (there 2 pints to a quarts and 4 quarts to a gallon.)

let
$x$= number of quart jugs
$2x=$ number pint jugs
$x-8$ = number of gallon jugs.

can you help me how i will set up my equation?

Using your variables, I then obtained the following equation:

$$\frac{2x}{8}+\frac{x}{4}+x-8=22$$

$$\frac{3x}{2}=30$$

$$x=20$$

Hence, there are 40 pint jugs, 20 quart jugs, and 12 gallon jugs.
 
Re: Another word problems.

how do you get these terms $\displaystyle \frac{2x}{8}+\frac{x}{4}+x-8$

and also, can you pin point what's my mistake in my first and 2nd solution. thanks!
 
Last edited:
Re: Another word problems.

paulmdrdo said:
how do you get these terms $\displaystyle \frac{2x}{8}+\frac{x}{4}+x-8$

How many pints are in a gallon? How many quarts?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 44 ·
2
Replies
44
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
6K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K