A car and trailer weigh a total of 3260 pounds. If the car weighs 3 times as much as the trailer, how much does each weigh?

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Answer 1 · 2016-01-02T10:04:20

Two equations with two unknowns, a system can be formed.

Car is 2445 pounds.
Trailer is 815 pounds.

Let car be #x# and trailer be #y#. Then the total weight is:

#x+y=3260# - - - #(1)#

Since the car weights 3 times as much as the trailer, we have:

#x=3*y# - - - #(2)#

Substituting #(2)# in #(1)#:

#3*y+y=3260#

#4*y=3260#

#y=3260/4=815#

Returning with known #y# in equation #(1)#:

#x+y=3260#

#x+815=3260#

#x=3260-815=2445#

#x=2445#
#y=815#

The car weighs 2445 pounds and the trailer weighs 815 pounds.