Question

Apples lose 71% of their weight while drying. How many pounds of fresh apples do you need to pick in order to get 128 lb of dried apples?

Answer 1

Well we know that apples lose 71% of their Weight While drying and we want 128 lb of dried apples

So let x equal the total weight of apples

71%x = 128

71x = 12800

x = 180.28 lb

So we need 180 lb of apples to get 128 lb of dry apples

Answer 2

since we know that they lose 71%, what's left on the dry apple is then 100% - 71% = 29%, so the dry apple only has 29% of the original weight.

now, if we want to get 128 lbs of dry apple, that means that 128 will be the 29%, how much will then be the 100%, let's say is "x" then.

`\bf \begin{array}{ccll} \stackrel{dry~apple}{lbs}&\%\\ \cline{1-2} 128&29\\ x&100 \end{array}\implies \cfrac{128}{x}=\cfrac{29}{100}\implies 12800=29x \\\\\\ \cfrac{12800}{29}=x\implies 441.38\approx x`