Problema Solution

One tank contains 3 times as many litres of water as another.From the first tank 17 litres are

taken and added to the second tank,and the first now contains 24 litres more than the second.

How many litres of water did the smaller tank contain at first?

Answer provided by our tutors

let


x = liters of the first bigger tank


y = liters of the second smaller tank


One tank contains 3 times as many liters of water as another:


x = 3y


From the first tank 17 liters are taken and added to the second tank,and the first now contains 24 liters more than the second:


x - 17 = 24 + y + 17


by solving the system of equations:


x = 3y


x - 17 = 24 + y + 17


we find:


x = 87 l


y = 29 l


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at first the smaller tank contained 29 liters.