Question

The top three oil producers in the United States in a certain year were the Gulf of Mexico, Texas, and Alaska. The three regions were responsible for 64% of the United States oil production. The Gulf of Mexico and Texas combined for 47% of oil production. Texas produced 3% more than Alaska. What percent of United States oil production came from these regions?

Answer 1

27% of United States oil production came from Gulf of Mexico.

20% of United States oil production came from Texas.

17% of United States oil production came from Alaska.

Explanation:

This question is solved by a system of equations.

I am going to say that:

Gulf of Mexico produced x%.

Texas produced y%.

Alaska produced z%.

The three regions were responsible for 64% of the United States oil production.

This means that:

`x + y + z = 64`

The Gulf of Mexico and Texas combined for 47% of oil production.

This means that
`x + y = 47`.

We use this to find z.

`47 + z = 64`

`z = 64 - 47 = 17`

17% of United States oil production came from Alaska.

Texas produced 3% more than Alaska.

Then:

`y = z + 3 = 17 + 3 = 20`

20% of United States oil production came from Texas.

Gulf of Mexico

`x + y = 47`

`x = 47 - y = 47 - 20 = 27`

27% of United States oil production came from Gulf of Mexico.