Final answer:
To solve this problem, we set up a system of equations representing the amount of oil in each tank. Using the fact that all three tanks end up with the same amount of oil, we determine that Tank A must have started with 1000 litres of oil.
Step-by-step explanation:
You need to find the value of n which represents the amount of oil initially in Tank A, given that 500 litres are pumped from Tank A to Tank C, and that Tanks A, B, and C eventually contain the same amount of oil.
After transferring 500 litres from Tank A to Tank C, Tank A will have n - 500 litres left. Since tank C was empty and now has 500 litres, Tank B must also transfer enough oil to Tank C such that both B and C have the same amount of oil. Tank B started with n + 150 litres and must end up with the same amount as tank C, which we will refer to as x.
Therefore, we need to solve the following system of equations:
Tank A: n - 500 = x
Tank B: n + 150 - x = x
Tank C: 500 = x
From Tank C's equation, we know that x = 500. Substituting this into the equations for Tanks A and B gives us:
Tank A: n - 500 = 500
Tank B: n + 150 - 500 = 500
From Tank A's equation, we see that n = 1000 litres.