Question

Sally has an iguana that weighs 5 pounds and gains 3 pounds per year. Her dog weighs 19 pounds and gains 1 pound per year. When will the iguana and the dog weigh the same amount?

a) In 5 years
b) In 7 years
c) In 8 years
d) In 14 years

Answer 1

By setting up an algebraic equation and solving for the number of years, it can be determined that the iguana and the dog will weigh the same in 7 years.

Step-by-step explanation:

The iguana, which weighs 5 pounds and gains 3 pounds per year, will eventually weigh the same as the dog, which currently weighs 19 pounds and gains 1 pound per year. To find out when this will occur, we can set up a simple algebraic equation:

Let x represent the number of years it will take for the iguana and the dog to weigh the same amount.

Weight of iguana in x years = 5 + 3x
Weight of dog in x years = 19 + x

Set both equations equal to each other and solve for x:

5 + 3x = 19 + x
2x = 14
x = 7

Therefore, the iguana and the dog will weigh the same in 7 years.