WHEN MR. LOWE RETURN FROM HIS FISHING TRIP, HIS STUDENTS INQUIRED AS TO THE LENGTH OF HIS PRIZE CATCH.
MR. LOWE ANSWERED.
"THE HEAD MEASURED 9 INCHES."
"THE TAIL WAS AS LONG AS THE HEAD AND HALF THE BODY."
THE BODY WAS AS LONG AS THE HEAD AND TAIL." HOW LONG WAS MR. LOWE'S PRIZE FISH?
9 + (9+.5 b) + b
but b = (9 + 9 + .5 b = 18+.5 b
.5 b = 18
b = 36
so
18 + 18 + 36
so answer:
72 or six feet
check
head = 9
body = 36
tail = 36-9 = 27
9 + 36 + 27 = 72 sure enough
72in.
To determine the length of Mr. Lowe's prize fish, we need to follow the clues given about the measurements of its head, tail, and body.
Let's assign variables to represent the unknown lengths. Let H be the length of the head, T be the length of the tail, and B be the length of the body.
From the first clue, we know that the head measured 9 inches: H = 9.
From the second clue, it says that the tail was as long as the head and half the body: T = H + 0.5B.
From the third clue, it states that the body was as long as the head and tail: B = H + T.
Now, let's substitute the values we have:
B = 9 + T (using the first clue)
T = 9 + 0.5B (using the second clue)
B = 9 + (9 + 0.5B) (substituting T into the third equation)
Let's solve the equation:
B = 9 + 9 + 0.5B
B - 0.5B = 18
0.5B = 18
B = 18 / 0.5
B = 36
Now, we can find the length of the tail:
T = 9 + 0.5B
T = 9 + 0.5 * 36
T = 9 + 18
T = 27
Therefore, the length of Mr. Lowe's prize fish is the combined length of its head, tail, and body:
Length = H + T + B
Length = 9 + 27 + 36
Length = 72 inches
So, Mr. Lowe's prize fish measured 72 inches in length.