How many suitcases average 20 pounds a piece can be loaded onto a plane that can hold a maximum of 2,300 pounds of storage? If s represents the number of suitcases, how would you write an inequality expressing the situation?

Question

Given:
20s greater or equal to 2,300
2,300s greater than equal to 20
2,300s less than or equal to 20
20s less than equal to 2,300

Answer 1

To express the situation using an inequality, you need to represent the total weight of the suitcases in relation to the maximum weight the plane can hold. Each suitcase weighs 20 pounds, so if \( s \) represents the number of suitcases, then the total weight of the suitcases is \( 20s \).

To find the maximum number of suitcases that can be loaded without exceeding the weight limit of 2,300 pounds, you need to formulate the inequality as follows:

\[ 20s \leq 2300 \]

This means that the total weight of the suitcases (20 times the number of suitcases) must be less than or equal to 2,300 pounds.

So, the correct option expressing the situation is:

\[ \text{20s less than or equal to 2,300} \]