Finding the mass of a screw lab.

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining the mass of a single screw based on the total masses of several cups containing different quantities of screws. The cups are stated to have equal mass, and the screws are also equal in mass.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss setting up equations to isolate the mass of the screws by eliminating the mass of the cups. There are mentions of using methods such as quadratic equations and elimination. Questions arise about the equality of equations based on the mass of the cups and screws.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different mathematical approaches and questioning the assumptions made about the mass of the cups and screws. Some guidance has been offered regarding the need to subtract the masses of the cups to focus on the screws, but there is no consensus on a specific method or solution yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the information provided is incomplete for forming a definitive equation, and there are concerns about the implications of the assumptions made regarding the masses leading to potentially infinite solutions.

jayjay713
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I have been given the masses of 5 cups, each with a different amount of screws inside. I am asked to find the mass of a single screw.

The cups themselves are all equal in mass and the screws are all equal in mass as well.

I know you are supposed to subtract the cups from each other to eliminate the mass of the cups and just get the screws masses. I am stuck and I can't seem to grasp the concept of how to solve this! Thanks for help.
 
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set the mass of one cup to x and mass of one screw to y
and solve for x and y using quadratic equation/elimination method/substitution method
 
would all the equations be equal to the same value? say a cup was 26.7 grams, what would the equation be?
 
you would have to give me all the info in the question for me to make an equation
 
bottle 1 = 28.70g
bottle 2 = 32.20g
bottle 3 = 37.60g
bottle 4 = 45.80g
bottle 5 = 60.50g
 
Last edited:
I am sorry but I can't really come up with an answer
It would just have infinite solutions with those assumptions you gave me

all I can say is that subtract the masses to get rid of the mass of cup, and find the common factor (but then it is a decimal in this case)
the mass of screw cannot be bigger than the common factor
 

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