Question

Pieter wrote the equation 7h -5(3h -8) = - 72 to model the number of hours it takes to dig a well to a level of 72 feet below sea level. How many hours will it take to dig the well ?

Answer 1

It will take 14 hours to dig the well to a level of 72 feet below sea level.

Step-by-step explanation:

To solve the equation 7h -5(3h -8) = - 72, we will use the distributive property to simplify the expression inside the parentheses. Distribute the -5 to both terms: 7h - 5(3h - 8) becomes 7h - 15h + 40 = -72. Combine like terms: -8h + 40 = -72. Next, isolate the variable by subtracting 40 from both sides: -8h = -112. Finally, divide both sides by -8 to solve for h: h = -112 / -8 = 14.

Therefore, it will take 14 hours to dig the well to a level of 72 feet below sea level.