A basket with 12 apples has a mass of 3105 grams. The same basket with 7 apples has a mass of 1980 grams. Each apple has the same mass. What is the mass of the basket?

Answer 1

b = mass of the basket

a = mass of the aple

b + 12 a = 3105 Subtract 12 a to both sides

b + 12 a - 12 a = 3105 - 12 a

b = 3105 - 12 a

b + 7 a = 1980

3105 - 12 a + 7 a = 1980

3105 - 5 a = 1980 Subtract 1980 to both sides

3105 - 5 a - 1980 = 1980 - 1980

1125 - 5 a = 0 Add 5 a to both sides

1125 - 5 a + 5 a = 0 + 5 a

1125 = 5 a Divide both sides by 5

1125 / 5 = 5 a / 5

225 = a

a = 225 grams

b = 3105 - 12 a

b = 3105 - 12 * 225

b = 3105 - 2700

b = 405 grams

Mass of the basket = 405 grams