A bridge can hold a maximum of 75,000 pounds. A truck that weighs 40,000 pounds carries boxes that weigh 40 pounds each. What is the maximum number of boxes the truck can carry to cross the bridge? Express your answer as an inequality.
b≤____
Let's assume that the maximum number of boxes the truck can carry is represented by the variable b.
The total weight of the truck is 40,000 pounds.
The weight of each box is 40 pounds.
So, the weight of b boxes can be represented as 40*b.
To cross the bridge, the total weight of the truck and the boxes should be less than or equal to the maximum weight the bridge can hold, which is 75,000 pounds.
This can be written as an inequality:
40,000 + 40*b ≤ 75,000
Simplifying the inequality:
40*b ≤ 75,000 - 40,000
40*b ≤ 35,000
Dividing both sides of the inequality by 40:
b ≤ 35,000 / 40
b ≤ 875
Therefore, the maximum number of boxes the truck can carry to cross the bridge is 875.