Question

Timothy bought concrete mix for several projects. He used

3.5 bags of concrete mix for a new set of stairs and 2.25 bags
of concrete mix for a garden wall. Timothy mixed
345 pounds of concrete in all.

a. Model with Math Write an equation that can be
represented by the bar diagram.

b. Solve for y. How many pounds of concrete does each bag make?

Answer 1

3.5y+2.25y=345

5.75y=345

60

Each bag makes 60 lbs of concrete

Answer 2

The required model is
`3.5y+2.25y=345`

60 pounds of concrete each bag make.

Explanation:

Consider the provided information.

Let the number of concrete bags are used is represented by y.

Part (A)

3.5 bags of concrete mix for a new set of stairs and 2.25 bags of concrete mix for a garden wall.

This can be written as:

`3.5y+2.25y`

Timothy mixed 345 pounds of concrete in all.

Therefore,
`3.5y+2.25y=345`

Hence, the required model is
`3.5y+2.25y=345`

Part (B) Solve for y. How many pounds of concrete does each bag make?

Consider the above equation.

`3.5y+2.25y=345`

Solve the equation for y as shown.

Add the like terms.

`5.75y=345`

Divide both the sides by 5.75

`y=60`

Hence, 60 pounds of concrete each bag make.