I need some help with an algebra problem

[ViperMagic]

On Monday, the produce manage stocked the case with 80 head of letuce. Some were solde by the end of the day

On Tues. The manages added an equal number of heads to what was leftover from Monday. The same amount were sold Tuesday, too.

Wendsday, the manager decided to triple the amount in the case. The same amount were sold, leaving 0. How many were sold each day. Don't forget to show your work!


Now I'm like, WTF? SOmeone please help

 

[morkinva]

Just guessin, 48 were sold each day??!

 

[Maleficus]

It's obvious that the answer is 42

 

[a7berwill]

let x = number of heads sold

after Monday, there are 80 - x left, at which point the manager adds the same 80 - x to it, so there are 2(80-x) = 160-2x.
x were sold on Tuesday, so there are now 160-2x-x=160-3x left over.
after tripling, and then selling another x, there are 3(160-3x)-x = 480-10x = 0

480 - 10x = 0
480 = 10x
x = 48

 

[morkinva]

WOOHOO !

 

[ViperMagic]

<< It's obvious that the answer is 42 >>



And writing 42 on my paper will earn me a 0/10. Mind telling me HOW to get said answer?

 

[morkinva]

Run 48 through the problem and you'll see its correct

 

[BigNeko]

80-48=32
32+32=64 64-48=16
16x3=48

 

[BigNeko]

a7berwill,
Good job. Ah-h-h-h. That`s what I meant to say

 

[Orsorum]

<< let x = number of heads sold

after Monday, there are 80 - x left, at which point the manager adds the same 80 - x to it, so there are 2(80-x) = 160-2x.
x were sold on Tuesday, so there are now 160-2x-x=160-3x left over.
after tripling, and then selling another x, there are 3(160-3x)-x = 480-10x = 0

480 - 10x = 0
480 = 10x
x = 48 >>



Good job.

 

[bjb86s]

<<

<< It's obvious that the answer is 42 >>



And writing 42 on my paper will earn me a 0/10. Mind telling me HOW to get said answer? >>



Me thinks he's alluding to Douglas Adams, but maybe I'm reading too deep into it.

 

[ViperMagic]

Thanks