Question

Two groups of people need to get across a lake. The first group has 36 people. Its boats can carry 5 passengers. The second group has 24 people. Its boats can carry only 4 passengers.

Which group needs more boats?
Follow the steps to solve the problem.

1. Group 1 is represented by the equation 5x = 36. Solve this equation for x. Show your work.

Write your answer in the space below.















2. How many boats does group 1 need? Explain your answer.

Write your answer in the space below.















3. Write and solve an equation to find how many boats group 2 needs. Show your work.

Write your answer in the space below.















4. Which group needs more boats?

Write your answer in the space below.

Answer 1

The first group needs 8 boats, the second needs 6

Explanation:

1: x = 8, divide both sides of the equal sign by 5 and you get x = 7.2

2: 8, 5 goes into 36 7 times evenly with a single person remaining and they would need the 8th boat

3: 4x = 24, divide both sides of the equal sign by 4 and you get x = 6

4: the first group