Need help on a word problem.

[hjcruz]

Hello all, I need help on a word problem I just need to know if I am headed in the right direction.

The problem is:
Currently, Person A has $60 and Person B has $135. Person A decides to save $5 from each week's paycheck, while Person B decides to spen all of each paycheck and an additional $10 each week. How long will it be before Person A and person B have the same amount of money? The following represents the situation:

Person A's savings +5 * Number of weeks=Person B's savings -10 * Number of weeks.

Now my task is:

A. Write an equation describing the situation in the introduction.

My answer to this part is:

60+5*X=135-10*X

B. Use Algebra to solve the equation written in A.

My answer to this part is:

60+5*X=135-10*X
60-60+5-5*X=135-10-60-5*X
X=60*X
-X=60

I am sure this is wrong but I don't know if this is the direction I am suppose to be going in. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.
Janette

 

[Denis]

B. Use Algebra to solve the equation written in A.
My answer to this part is:
60+5*X=135-10*X
60-60+5-5*X=135-10-60-5*X
X=60*X
-X=60

NO...terribly bad :wink:
Add 10x to both sides:
60 + 15x = 135
Subtract 60 from each side:
15x = 75

Finish it.

 

[hjcruz]

Thank you Denis,

I see what you did but the I think that I must have mistyped the problem. Why would it be 10x when it's 10 times x. (x stands for the number of weeks) would it still be 10x on both sides?

I am so cofused.

 

[Mrspi]

Thank you Denis,

I see what you did but the I think that I must have mistyped the problem. Why would it be 10x when it's 10 times x. (x stands for the number of weeks) would it still be 10x on both sides?

I am so cofused.

"10 times x" is written as 10x

"5 times x" is written as 5x

60 + 5x = 135 - 10x