Puzzlin' on Puzzle Pieces (Math Brainteaser -- beginning algebra level)

[Otis]

Jody completes a 600-piece jigsaw puzzle over the course of five days. Each day after the first day, she assembles 17 more pieces than she did the day before. How many pieces did Jody assemble on the first day?

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[Harry_the_cat]

Spoiler

86

 

[lookagain]

Here is work shown for a solution:

Spoiler

$\displaystyle Let \ \ (x - 2\cdot 17) \ = \ the \ \ number \ \ of \ \ jigsaw \ \ pieces \ \ assembled \ \ on \ \ the \ \ first \ \ day.$

$\displaystyle Then \ \ (x - 2\cdot 17) \ + \ (x - 1\cdot17) \ + \ x \ + \ (x + 1\cdot 17) \ + \ (x + 2\cdot17) \ = \ 600$

$\displaystyle 5x \ = \ 600$

$\displaystyle x \ = \ 120$

$\displaystyle Substitute \ \ x \ = \ 120 \ \ into \ \ (x - 2\cdot17):$

$\displaystyle 120 - 34 \ = \ 86$

 

[BigBeachBanana]

I was puzzled by the question, but now it's all fit together. ?

 

[Deleted member 4993]

I was puzzled by the question, but now it's all fit together. ?

Did work the edges and the corners first..........

 

[BigBeachBanana]

Did work the edges and the corners first..........

I was in pieces when I couldn't figure it out, but then I looked at the big picture.

 

[Deleted member 4993]

I was in pieces when I couldn't figure it out, but then I looked at the big picture.

Uncle, uncle,......I surrender......

 

[Otis]

I was puzzled by the question

Thanks! One of my motivations for posting it is to give beginning algebra students practice with mathy reading comprehension.

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[Otis]

Uncle, uncle,......I surrender

Ah, the jig is up.

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