16Hit1600
AlgebraMediumGreatest whole number satisfying a limit

Algebra practice question

A lift can carry at most 600 kilograms. A worker who weighs 80 kilograms rides the lift with some boxes, each weighing 25 kilograms. What is the greatest number of boxes the worker can take in one trip?

Answer: 20

80 + 25b ≤ 600, so 25b ≤ 520 and b ≤ 20.8. The number of boxes is a whole number, so the greatest is 20. Check: 80 + 500 = 580 ≤ 600; 21 boxes would make 605.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 21
21 rounds 20.8 UP, but 21 boxes plus the worker weigh 605 kg, over the limit. Round down.
If you answered 24
24 is 600 / 25, forgetting the worker's 80 kg.
If you answered 27
27 is (600 + 80) / 25 — the worker's weight was added to the limit instead of subtracted from it.

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