Question

Three parcels weigh 2 pounds.two parcels weigh the same. The lightest weight is 5/8 pound lighter than the heaviest weight. How much do each of the parcels weigh

Answer 1

let's say the parcels are "a, "b" and "c"

so.. hmm two of them weigh the same,... let's say b and c, that means c = b

so, and they all weight 2lbs, so
a + b + c = 2
or
a + b + b = 2
a + 2b = 2

let's say the lightest is "b", and weights 5/8 less than "a", so
b = (5/8)a


`\bf a+b+c=2\implies a+2b=2\qquad b=(5)/(8)a\implies a+2\cdot \cfrac{5a}{8}=2 \\\\\\ a+\cfrac{5a}{4}=2\impliedby \textit{let's multiply both sides by 4} \\\\\\ 4a+5a=8\implies 9a=8\implies \boxed{a=\cfrac{8}{9}\ lb} \\\\\\ b=\cfrac{5}{8}\left( \cfrac{8}{9} \right)\implies \boxed{b=\cfrac{5}{9}\ lb}`