On one side of a balance scale is a whole brick. On the other side is one-half of a brick and 4 pounds of potatoes. If the scale balances. how many pounds does a whole brick weigh?
b = b/2 + 4
multiply each side by 2
2b = b +8
b = 8
one brick weighs 8 lbs
To determine the weight of a whole brick, we need to set up an equation based on the information provided. We know that on one side of the balance scale, there is a whole brick, and on the other side, there is one-half of a brick and 4 pounds of potatoes.
Let's denote the weight of the whole brick as "x" pounds. Since one-half of a brick is present on the other side, its weight would be x/2 pounds.
The equation can be set up as follows:
x = x/2 + 4
To solve this equation, we can multiply through by 2 to eliminate the fraction:
2x = x + 8
By subtracting x from both sides, we have:
2x - x = 8
Simplifying further, we get:
x = 8
Therefore, a whole brick weighs 8 pounds.