Question

a clerk must use the elevator to move boxes of paper. the elevators maximum weight limit is 1451 pounds. if each box of paper weighs 67 pounds and the clerk weighs 149 pounds, use an inequality to find the number of whole boxes she can move on the elevator at one time.
a. let x represent the number of boxes. translate into an inequality. fill in the blanks below.
clerks weight + number of boxes times weight of each box ≤ elevator maximum weight
149 + x × 67 ≤ 1451
what is the first step in solving the resulting equation for x?
a. isolate the variable terms on one side of the inequality and the constant terms on the other side of the inequality
b. multiply all terms on both sides by the lcd
c. divide each side of the inequality by the constant on the left - hand side of the inequality
d. combine like terms
b. give the answer as an inequality. explain the meaning of the answer to part a.

Explanation:

Step1: Set up the inequality

The weight of the clerk is 149 pounds and each box weighs 67 pounds. Let \(x\) be the number of boxes. The total weight (clerk's weight + weight of boxes) must be less than or equal to the elevator's maximum weight of 1451 pounds. So the inequality is \(149 + 67x\leq1451\).

Step2: Isolate the variable - first step

The first step in solving for \(x\) in the inequality \(149 + 67x\leq1451\) is to isolate the variable - term. We do this by subtracting 149 from both sides of the inequality.

Answer:

A. Isolate the variable - terms on one side of the inequality and the constant terms on the other side of the inequality.