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Expert: - 10/6/2006


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My name is Abbie, and I'm studying precalculus.


question:
A can with 40 marbles in it weighed 135 grams. The same can with 20 marbles in it weighed 75 grams.  What is the mass of each marble?  What is the mass of the can?

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abbie Asks in Category Advanced Math ...
 
Subject:  Find the Mass
 
Question:  My name is Abbie, and I'm studying precalculus.
A can with 40 marbles in it weighed 135 grams. The same can with 20 marbles in it weighed 75 grams.  What is the mass of each marble?  What is the mass of the can?
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Hi, Abbie,

This is just algebra -- simultaneous equations stuff.  

Let:

C = mass of a can.
m = mass of one marble.

C + 40m = 135
C + 20m = 75

Solve these simultaneous equations.  If you can't do that, you really are losing your marbles.

You should get  m = 3, C = 15.  

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