How many pounds of clay are used to make one mug?

Question

At a ceramics studio, every mug uses the same amount of clay, and every bowl uses the same amount of clay. Making 3 mugs and 2 bowls uses 19 pounds of clay. Making 1 mug and 2 bowls uses 13 pounds of clay.

Accepted Answer

A. 3. Let m be pounds per mug and b pounds per bowl: 3m + 2b = 19 and m + 2b = 13. Subtracting the second equation from the first eliminates b: 2m = 6, so m = 3 (and b = 5). Choice B is the clay for one bowl, not one mug. Choice C is the value of 2m, the result of subtracting but forgetting to divide by 2. Choice D is m + b, the combined clay for one mug and one bowl.

Answer

B. 5 — That's b, the pounds of clay per bowl. The question asks for one mug, which is 3 pounds.

Answer

C. 6 — Subtracting the equations gives 2m = 6, so you still need to divide by 2: m = 3.

Answer

D. 8 — That's m + b, the clay for one mug and one bowl together. The question asks for one mug alone.

Algebra practice question

Answer: A. 3

Why the other answers are wrong

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