How much does the cart weigh?

Jason was hauling concrete blocks in a cart. When he had one block in the cart, the total weight of the cart with the block was 55 pounds. When he had 4 blocks in the cart, the total weight of the cart and the blocks was 146.5 pounds. How much did the empty cart weigh? Explain how you arrived at your answer.

146.5 - 55 = 91.5

91.5 / 30.5 lbs. for each block.

55 - 30.5 = _______ lbs. = weight of cart

I got 18.375

If its wrong can you please tell me your answer and how you solved it

I first divided 146.5 by 4 and got 36.625 then I subtracted 55 from 36.625

Thank you Ms.Sue

You're welcome.

To find out how much the empty cart weighs, we need to subtract the weight of the blocks from the total weight of the cart and blocks. Here's how we can determine the weight of the blocks and the empty cart:

1. Set up equations:
Let's assume the weight of one block is "b" pounds, and the weight of the empty cart is "c" pounds.

From the information given, we can form two equations:

Equation 1: c + b = 55
This equation represents the total weight of the cart with one block.

Equation 2: c + 4b = 146.5
This equation represents the total weight of the cart and four blocks.

2. Solve the system of equations:
To find the values of "b" and "c," we can solve the system of equations.

We will use the method of substitution, where we solve one equation for one variable and substitute it into the other equation.

Start with Equation 1, which we can rewrite as:
c = 55 - b

Substitute this expression for "c" into Equation 2:
55 - b + 4b = 146.5

Simplify and solve for "b":
55 + 3b = 146.5
3b = 146.5 - 55
3b = 91.5
b = 91.5 / 3
b = 30.5

3. Find the weight of the empty cart:
Now that we know the weight of one block (b = 30.5 pounds), we can substitute this value back into Equation 1 to find the weight of the empty cart (c):

c + 30.5 = 55
c = 55 - 30.5
c = 24.5

Therefore, the empty cart weighs 24.5 pounds.