Posted on

Algebra Chapter 16 Lesson 2 Set 1 Problem #3

This is an error in the book by Master Books (ISBN: 978-0890519851) – the book with the blue cover showing the world.

The problem is discussing hens and rabbits with a total of 30 heads and 86 feet.Algebra Chapter 16 Lesson 2 Set 1 Problem 3

ERROR: The solution manual is referring to the wrong problem which is related to money.

Here is how to solve. Simultaneous equations are covered in Chapter 7. So if you forget how to solve these, refer back to chapter 7. 

heads = # hens + # rabbits

feet = 2 x # hens + 4x number of rabbits

So let h be the number of hens and r be the number of rabbits.

We can re-write the above as

heads = 30 = h + r

feet = 86 = 2h + 4r

30=h+r

So r = 30-h

Substitute this equation into the second equation to get

86 = 2h + 4r

86 = 2h + 4(30-h) = 2h + 120 – 4h = -2h +120

 

Rearrange to get

2h = 120-86 = 34

h = 17 (number of hens)

 

Now we can find the rabbits are

R = 30-h = 30-17 = 13

 

Checking our work

13 + 17 = 30 (total number of heads)

2 x 17 + 4 x 13 = 86 which are the number of feet.

Correct!

Posted on

Algebra Ch5.1 #10x

This is an error in the Algebra Solutions Manual

Mary asked,

In Algebra 1, chapter 5 lesson 1 problem 10x, the answer key says the answer is true for all positive integers.  But isn’t it true for all integers? 1 to the power of x =1.  If it is a negative power, it is still one, right?

Mary
Dr. Callahan Answer:
You are correct. Should be for all real numbers – not just integers. I tend to test these in a calculator to make sure though 😉
So that is incorrect in the Solutions manual.
Just for completeness sake – my goto math tool is Wolfram – so here is there answer.