Question

On Mercury, you weigh 2 pounds for each 5 pounds you weigh on Earth. You weigh 140 pounds on Earth. How much do you weigh on Mercury?

Answer 1

56

Explanation:

Givens

Given Ratio = 2/5

Given mass on earth = 140

Ratio

2/5 = x/140 or

0.4 = x / 140

Solution

2/5 = x/140 Cross multiply

5x = 2*140 Combine

5x = 280 Divide by 5

x = 280/5

x = 56

You could also do this by combining the left side of the original proportion into 0.4

0.4 = x / 140 Multiply both sides by 140

0.4*140 = x Combine the left

56 = x