Question

Diane looked out the window in the store parking lot and said, “There are 13 motorcycles and cars in the lot.” Steve looked out the window and said, “I see 42 wheels.”

Question: How many motorcycles and how many cars are in the parking lot?

Answer 1

There are 5 motorcycles and 8 cars in the parking lot.

Explanation:

Set variables X to represent the number of cars and Y to represent the number of motorcycles. You will get the following equations:

X + Y = 13 (Total number of motorcycles and cars)

4X + 2Y = 42 (Total number of wheels)

Combine the two equations together and solve for Y and X

4(13 - Y) + 2Y = 42 note: X = 13 - Y

52 - 4Y + 2Y = 42

-2Y = -10

Y = 5

X + 5 = 13

X = 8