Question

James has a number of 6 kg sacks of carrots, and a number of 16 kg sacks of

carrots.

(Level 4)

The mean weight of the sacks of carrots is 12 kg.

What is the least number of 6 kg and 16 kg sacks of carrots that James has?
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Answer 1

Answer:

here click for answer

Step-by-step explanation:

let’s say

a = number of 6kg sacks

b = number of 16kg sacks

the total weight then is 6a + 16b, and the total number of sacks is a + b

therefore because the average weight is 12kgs we can write:

(6a+16b)/(a+b) = 12

6a + 16b = 12a + 12b

So 4b = 6a

so b = 3a/2

As a and b must be integers, the minimum is b = 3, a = 2.

Quick check

2 * 6 + 3 * 16 = 60kgs with 5 bags which is an average of 12kgs

I hope this helps.