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There are three fish in a pond, whose combined weights equal 15 pounds.
The lightest fish is a quarter of the weight of the other two fish combined. The heaviest is a pound lighter than the other two fish combined.
How much does each fish weigh?
The lightest fish is a quarter of the weight of the other two fish combined. The heaviest is a pound lighter than the other two fish combined.
How much does each fish weigh?
Answer
3, 5 and 7 poundsHide Answer Show Answer
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Comments
I think anyone could open up a high school algebra book and take the word problems right out of them and post them here. I would like to see some more challenging puzzles. Maybe I should quit complaining about it and put some up myself. :-)
we don't have high schools in England, I got it from a friend. i promise to try harder
chamber44 is right, but still its one to share , im english as well - just thought id add that.
hmm.... sorry but i just don't have algebra books at my command... and since it's summer vacation now any way... ;) i enjoyed going after and actual algebra problem...
Algebra is really boring! why would any one want to open an algebra book!!!!
P.S I,m English too and proud of it!
P.S I,m English too and proud of it!
I like this problem. Well done mad-ade - you're doing us Englishman proud!
I am English as well. Well, not exactly, but am I not typing in English? Well, whatever. I am proud to be English too. Go Mad Ade.
You can't be serious about this being an algebra problem?
Light fish = 1/(4+1) * 15 = 3
Heavy fish = (15-1)/2 = 7
Middle fish = 15 - 7 - 3 = 5
No variables; no algebra. This is so simple, it's almost hard to see how you could set this up as an algebra problem without solving it in the process.
Light fish = 1/(4+1) * 15 = 3
Heavy fish = (15-1)/2 = 7
Middle fish = 15 - 7 - 3 = 5
No variables; no algebra. This is so simple, it's almost hard to see how you could set this up as an algebra problem without solving it in the process.
Once again I agree with Java!
@javaguru: This problem definitely uses algebra. You just did it more of the "in-your-head" way because it's very simple.
l = weight of light fish
m = weight of medium fish
h = weight of heavy fish
1. l + m + h = 15
2. l = (m + h) / 4
3. h = l + m - 1
From 1: (m + h) = 15 - l
Sub into 2: l = (15 - l) / 4
4l = 15 - l
5l = 15
l = 3
3 + m + h = 15
From 1: m + h = 12
From 3: h = 3 + m - 1
h = m + 2
Sub into 1: m + (m + 2) = 12
2m + 2 = 12
2m = 10
m = 5
Sub into 1: 3 + 5 + h = 15
h = 7
Now, tell me this is not an algebra problem again? :]
Just because it's simple enough to do in your head in 20 seconds without literally assigning variable names, etc., does not mean it is not an algebraic problem.
l = weight of light fish
m = weight of medium fish
h = weight of heavy fish
1. l + m + h = 15
2. l = (m + h) / 4
3. h = l + m - 1
From 1: (m + h) = 15 - l
Sub into 2: l = (15 - l) / 4
4l = 15 - l
5l = 15
l = 3
3 + m + h = 15
From 1: m + h = 12
From 3: h = 3 + m - 1
h = m + 2
Sub into 1: m + (m + 2) = 12
2m + 2 = 12
2m = 10
m = 5
Sub into 1: 3 + 5 + h = 15
h = 7
Now, tell me this is not an algebra problem again? :]
Just because it's simple enough to do in your head in 20 seconds without literally assigning variable names, etc., does not mean it is not an algebraic problem.
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