Question

Patricia is making two sizes of hamburgers: 0.5-pound andd 0.25-pound. How many of each size of hamburger could she make with 3.75 pounds of hamburger?​

Answer 1

She could make 5 of each type.

Explanation:

If x is the number of 0.5 pound hamburgers and y is the number of 0.25 pound hamburgers:

0.5x + 0.25y = 3.75

Divide through by 0.25:

2x + y = 15

Some whole numbers which fit this relation are x = 5 and y = 5.

Answer 2

• See below

Explanation:

Given:

• Number of 0.5-pound is a
• Number of 0.25-pound is b
• Total weight is 3.75 pounds

Equation for the number of hamburgers:

• 0.5a + 0.25b = 3.75

simplified to:

• 2a + b = 15

Minimum number of each size is zero, then the maximum possible number is:

• a = 0 ⇒ b = 15
• b = 0 ⇒ 2a = 15 ⇒ a = 7 so b can't be zero, 2*7 + b = 15 ⇒ b = 1

So possible numbers are within the range:

• 0.5 pound ⇒ 0 to 7
• 0.25 pound ⇒ 1 to 15