Understanding the Problem
Read the problem over and make sure you understand it. Pick out important information. The data I felt was important is in bold letters.
The average weight of Billy, Willy and Jill is 125 pounds. Bill weights 110 pounds and Jill weights 120 pounds. How much does Will weight?
I know that the average weight of the three is 125 lbs., so I am going to multiply 125 times 3. Then I'm going to subtract the weights of Bill and Jill and that will get me the weight of Will.
125 * 3 = 375
375 - 110 - 120 = 145
Bill weighs 145 pounds
Now test lets test our answer in the problem.
145 + 110 + 120 = 375
375 / 3 = 125
Our answer is correct.
S. A. Hudson: SHUDSON@nmu.edu.