Answer:
Four cars that can hold 3 passengers
Explanation:
The number of cars on the Cyclone Coaster = 16 cars
The number of passengers some cars hold = 2 passengers
The number of passengers the other cars hold = 3 passengers
The number of people altogether the Cyclone Coaster has room for = 36 people
Let x represent the number of cars that can hold 3 passengers, and let y represent the number of cars that can hold 2 passengers, we have;
3·x + 2·y = 36...(1)
x + y = 16...(2)
The value of x can be found by making y the subject of equation (1) and equation (2) and equating both values of y given in x as follows;
The value of y from equation (1) is, y₁ = (36 - 3·x)/2 = 18 - 3·x/2
∴ y₁ = 18 - 3·x/2
The value of y from equation (2) is, y₂ = 16 - x
Equating both y values, to find the coordinates of the common point to both equations, gives;
At the common point y₁ = y₂
By the substitution property of equality
∴ 18 - 3·x/2 = 16 - x
3·x/2 - x = 18 - 16 = 2
x/2 = 2
∴ x = 4
The number of cars that can hold 3 passengers, x = 4
(From y₂ = 16 - x, we have
y₁ = y₂ = 16 - 4 = 12
y = 1
The number of cars that can hold 2 passengers, y = 12).