Ling is three times as heavy as her packed suitcase. Her suitcase is 20 pounds heavier than her knapsack. The weights of Ling, her suitcase, and her knapsack total 170 pounds. How much does each weigh?

Identify a variable, set up an equation, and solve. Thanks so much

4 answers

If Ling, suitcase, and backpack weigh x,y,z, respectively, then we have

x = 3y
y = z+20
x+y+z = 170

so,

3y + y + y-20 = 170
5y = 190
y = 38

So,
Ling weighs 114
suitcase: 38
backpack: 18

your wrong

How is he wrong?