Problema Solution

Two boxes contained 155 lb of flour. If you take 20 lb from the first and add it to the second, the first box will contain 12 19 of what is now in the second. What amount of flour was originally in each box?

Answer provided by our tutors

let


x = lbs of flour in the first box


y = lbs of flour in the second box


Two boxes contained 155 lb of flour:


x + y = 155


If you take 20 lb from the first and add it to the second, the first box will contain 12/19 of what is now in the second:


(x - 20) = (12/19)(y + 20)


by solving the system of equations:


x + y = 155


(x - 20) = (12/19)(y + 20)


we find:


x = 80 lbs


y = 75 lbs


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originally there were 80 lbs of flour in the first box and 75 lbs of flour in the second box.