If you are given numerous envelopes that contain an unknown amount of "tiles" and are given the mass of each of those envelopes,how might you determine the mass of just one tile?
To determine the mass of just one tile, you need to compare the total mass of multiple envelopes with the unknown number of tiles to the total mass of the same number of empty envelopes. Here's how to do it:
1. Select a set number of envelopes, let's say 5 for example, that each contain an unknown number of tiles. Record the mass of each of these envelopes.
2. Open each envelope and count the number of tiles inside. Write down the number of tiles in each.
3. Calculate the total mass of these envelopes by adding up the individual masses. Let's say the total mass is 500 grams.
4. Now, you need empty envelopes to compare the mass. Take an equal number of empty envelopes (5 in this example) and weigh them. Record the mass of each empty envelope.
5. Calculate the total mass of these empty envelopes. Let's say the total mass is 100 grams.
6. Now, subtract the total mass of the empty envelopes (100 grams) from the total mass of the envelopes with tiles (500 grams). This will give you the mass of the tiles only, which in this case is 400 grams.
7. To find the mass of just one tile, divide the mass of the tiles (400 grams) by the total number of tiles you counted (let's say 20). So, each tile would weigh 20 grams.
By comparing the mass of the envelopes with tiles to the mass of the same number of empty envelopes, you can determine the mass of just one tile.