Question

Gregory brought 11 pumpkins to school for pumpkin-carving contest. Each pumpkin weighed at least 4 pounds after being carved, and the combined wight of the carved pumpkins was 50 pounds. The first pumpkin carved weighed 5.5 pounds. What was the greatest possible weight, in ounces, of the second carved pumpkin?

Answer 1

To find the greatest possible weight of the second carved pumpkin, subtract the minimum weight of the remaining pumpkins from the total weight of the carved pumpkins. The greatest possible weight of the second carved pumpkin is 10 pounds.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the greatest possible weight of the second carved pumpkin, we need to determine the weight of the remaining pumpkins. We know that the first pumpkin carved weighed 5.5 pounds and the combined weight of the carved pumpkins is 50 pounds. So, the weight of the remaining 10 pumpkins is 50 - 5.5 = 44.5 pounds.

Since each pumpkin weighs at least 4 pounds after being carved, the 10 remaining pumpkins weigh at least 4 * 10 = 40 pounds.

To find the greatest possible weight of the second carved pumpkin, we subtract the minimum weight of the 10 remaining pumpkins from the total weight. Therefore, the greatest possible weight of the second carved pumpkin is 50 - 40 = 10 pounds.