Question

A container of oregano is 17 pounds heavier than a container of peppercorns. Their total weight is 253 pounds. The peppercorns will be sold in one-ounce bags. How many bags of peppercorns can be made?

Answer 1

1,888 bags.

Explanation:

Let x represent the the weight of container of peppercorns.

We have been given that the container of oregano is 17 pounds heavier than a container of peppercorns. So the weight of container of oregano would be
`x+17`.

We are also told that the total weight of both containers is 253 pounds. We can represent this information in an equation as:

`x+x+17=253`

Let us solve for x.

`2x+17=253`

`2x+17-17=253-17`

`2x=236`

`(2x)/(2)=(236)/(2)`

`x=118`

Therefore, the weight of peppercorns is 118 pounds.

Now, we will convert 118 pounds to ounces.

1 pound equals 16 ounces.

118 pounds = 118*16 ounces = 1,888 ounces

Since the peppercorns will be sold in one-ounce bags, therefore, 1,888 bags of peppercorns can be made.