“FUN” PROBLEM #2
1. The Electoral College has 9 members from California for every 1 member from Nebraska. Together these states account for 50 electors. How many electors are from California?
California = 9x 9x + x = 50 45
Nebraska = x 10x = 50
x = 5
2. Peroxide is a bleaching compound made up of 16 parts by weight of oxygen and 1 part by weight of hydrogen. How many grams of oxygen are there in 238 grams of peroxide?
Oxygen = 16x 16x + x = 238 224
Hydrogen = x 17x = 238
Peroxide = 238 x = 14
3. Fifty-eight more than three times a number is 25. Find the number.
Number = x 3x + 58 = 25 -11
3x = -33
x = -11
4. Fifteen increased by one-fourth of a number is -12. What is the number?
Number = x 15 + 1/4 x = -12 -108
1/4 x = -27
x = -108
5. One-sixth of a number, diminished by 37, is 53. Find the number.
Number = x 1/6 x -37 = 53 540
1/6 x = 90
x = 540
6. Find a number such that 17 less than twice the number is 91.
Number = x 2x - 17 = 91 54
2x = 108
x = 54
7. Except as otherwise posted, the daytime automobile speed limit on open highways in Puerto Rico is 10 miles per hour greater than one-half the speed limit on open highways in Texas. What is the speed limit in Texas if the limit in Puerto Rico is 45 miles per hour?
P.R. = 1/2 x +10 = 45 1/2 x + 10 = 45 70
Texas = x 1/2 x = 35
x = 70
8. According to forestry reports, the tallest red maple tree in the United States is 14 feet shorter than three times as tall as the tallest American pear tree. The maple tree is 136 feet tall. How tall is the pear tree?
Maple = 3x - 14 = 136 3x-14 = 136 50
Pear = x 3x = 150
x = 50
9. One number is 15 greater than a second number. If the lesser number is subtracted from twice the greater number, the difference is 46. Find the greater number.
Lesser = x 2(x+15)-x = 46 16
Greater = x+5 2x+30-x = 46
x = 16
10. Two numbers differ by 22. If 3 times the greater number is subtracted from 7 times the lesser number, the difference is -2. Find the greater number.
Greater = x 7(x-22)-3x = -2 38
Lesser = x-22 7x-154-3x = -2
4x = 152
x = 38