MHB Find the total number of marbles that Ahmad and Weiming have in terms of x.

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Ahmad has x marbles, which is 40 more than Weiming, meaning Weiming has x - 40 marbles. The total number of marbles they have is expressed as T = 2x - 40. When Ahmad has 55 marbles, the total becomes T = 2(55 - 20) = 70. The confusion arose from misinterpreting the relationship between Ahmad's and Weiming's marbles.
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Ahmad has x marbles. He has 40 more marbles than Weiming

a) Find the total number of marbles that Ahmad and Weiming have in terms of x.

my answer: x + x + 40. So 2x + 40

b) Ahmad has 55 marbles. How many marbles do they have altogether?

my answer: 2(55)+ 40 = 150
 
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Johnx said:
Ahmad has x marbles. He has 40 more marbles than Weiming

a) Find the total number of marbles that Ahmad and Weiming have in terms of x.

my answer: x + x + 40. So 2x + 40

b) Ahmad has 55 marbles. How many marbles do they have altogether?

my answer: 2(55)+ 40 = 150

That looks good! (Yes)
 
Thanks for the reply.

The reason why I asked this question is because there is a different answer.

a) answer: 2x - 40

b) answer: 2 * 55 - 40 - 70I'm not sure why this other answer said to subtract 40.
 
Johnx said:
Thanks for the reply.

The reason why I asked this question is because there is a different answer.

a) answer: 2x - 40

b) answer: 2 * 55 - 40 - 70I'm not sure why this other answer said to subtract 40.

Because we both made the same mistake reading the problem. We are told:

Ahmad has x marbles. He has 40 more marbles than Weiming

This means Weiming has 40 less marbles than Ahmad, which means Weiming has \(x-40\) marbles, and so the total \(T\) is:

$$T=x+x-40=2x-40=2(x-20)$$

And so if Ahmad has 55 marbles, we find:

$$T=2(55-20)=2\cdot35=70$$

Sorry for the confusion! :)
 
No worries and thank you.
 
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