Final answer:
To solve for the variable representing the width of the tiles in Mary's kitchen, the equation is set up by equating the area covered by the tiles to the total area of the kitchen floor, yielding the equation 10 * (3w) = 30. This simplifies to 30w = 30, from which we find that w = 1, meaning each tile is 1 foot wide.
Step-by-step explanation:
To set up an equation for the situation where Mary covered her kitchen floor with tiles, we need to consider the area covered by the tiles and the area of the floor.
The kitchen floor measures 6 feet by 5 feet, so its area is 30 square feet. Each of the tiles is 3 feet long and w feet wide, so one tile covers an area of 3w square feet.
Mary used 10 tiles to cover the floor completely, so the equation representing the total area covered by the tiles is:
10 * (3w) = 30
This simplifies to:
30w = 30
Dividing both sides by 30 gives us:
w = 1
Therefore, the width of each tile, w, is 1 foot.