Question

Jessica is stacking items on a shelf. She has large books that weigh 5 pounds each and medium books that weigh 3 pounds each. The shelf should hold at most 50 pounds. Let x represent the number of large books. Let y represent the number of medium books. Which inequality represents this situation?

Answer 1

5x+3y≤50 because it says 50 pounds at most so it either is = or less than 50. ≤

Answer 2

5x + 3y ≤ 50

Explanation:

Given,

The weight of each large book = 5 pounds,

And, the weight of each medium book = 3 pounds,

Thus,

The total weight in pounds of x large books and y medium books = x × weight of each large book + y × weight of each medium book

= 5x + 3y

According to the question,

Total weight ≤ 50 pounds

( Note : at most = less than equal )

⇒ 5x + 3y ≤ 50

Which is the required inequality.