16Hit1600
AlgebraMediumGreatest number of extra items within a weight limit

Algebra practice question

A van can carry at most 900 kilograms. It is already loaded with 12 crates that weigh 35 kilograms each. What is the greatest number of 20-kilogram boxes that can be added without exceeding the limit?

Answer: 24

12 × 35 = 420 kg already. Then 420 + 20b ≤ 900 → 20b ≤ 480 → b ≤ 24.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 21
21 comes from subtracting 35 × 12 = 480 (a multiplication slip) and then 420 ÷ 20.
If you answered 45
45 comes from 900 ÷ 20, ignoring the crates.
If you answered 480
480 is the spare capacity in kilograms, not the number of boxes.

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