Question

April lost 5 pounds in her first week of college. Over the next three weeks she lost 3 pounds, gained 2 pounds, and then lost 1 pound. Over the four weeks, what was the change in April's weight? Give a single integer to represent your answer (don't forget to include a negative sign if applicable).

Answer 1

April lost a total of 7 pounds over the four weeks, which is determined by summing the weight changes from each week: losing 5 pounds, losing 3, gaining 2, and losing 1, resulting in a net loss of 7 pounds.

Step-by-step explanation:

Over the four weeks, the change in April's weight is the sum of the weight she lost and gained each week. The first week she lost 5 pounds. In the subsequent weeks, she lost 3 pounds, then gained 2 pounds, and finally lost 1 pound. Therefore, the total change can be calculated as follows:

Week 1: -5 pounds

Week 2: -3 pounds

Week 3: +2 pounds

Week 4: -1 pound

The total weight change is (-5) + (-3) + (+2) + (-1) = -7 pounds. Hence, April lost 7 pounds over the four weeks.

Answer 2

Change in April's weight is -7

Solution:

Let the initial weight be "x"

April lost 5 pounds in her first week of college

First week = lost 5 pounds

Therefore, x - 5

Over the next three weeks she lost 3 pounds, gained 2 pounds, and then lost 1 pound

Next three week:

Lost 3 pound

Gained 2 pound

Lost 1 pound

Therefore, weight after 4 weeks is given as:

x - 5 - 3 + 2 - 1 = x -7

After 4 week, the weight is x - 7

The change in April weight is given as:

Weight after 4 week - initial weight = x - 7 - x = -7

Thus change in April's weight is -7 (Negative sign represents loss in weight )