16Hit1600
AlgebraEasy–MediumTwo jars from a total and a ratio

Algebra practice question

Two jars hold 16 marbles between them, and the first jar holds three times as many as the second. How many marbles are in the first jar?

Answer: 12

3s + s = 16 gives s = 4, so the first jar holds 12.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 4
4 is the second jar.
If you answered 8
8 splits the marbles evenly.
If you answered 48
48 multiplies 16 by 3.

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