Question

The Pappas family has two cats, Zeus and Athena. Together they weigh thirteen pounds. Zeus weighs 5 pounds less than Athena. How much does Athena weigh?

Answer 1

Given:

Combine weight of two cats, Zeus and Athena = 13 pounds

Zeus weighs 5 pounds less than Athena.

To find:

The weight of Athena.

Solution:

Let x pounds be the weight of Athena.

Zeus weighs 5 pounds less than Athena.

Weight of Zeus = x - 5 pounds

Combine weight of two cats, Zeus and Athena = 13 pounds

`x+(x-5)=13`

`2x-5=13`

Add 5 on both sides.

`2x=13+5`

`2x=18`

Divide both sides by 2.

`x=(18)/(2)`

`x=9`

Therefore, the weight of Athena is 9 pounds.