Help with algebra word problem??

Question

The Randolphs used 12 more gal of fuel oil in October than in September and twice as much oil in November as in September. If theyused 132 gal for the 3 months, how much was used during each month?

This is an algebra word problem. These things are like reading a foreign language. Bless those of you out there with math abilities. Thank you for the help.

I was trying not to use this sight but got stuck in this one area of algebra. Everything else was making sense until this. This has helped me understand the equations better. I am practicing with other problems with the knowledge I receive here. Thank you again.

Answer 1

Let x= number of gallons of fuel oil used in September

which means:
Number of gallons used in Oct= x+12 (in gallons)

Number of gallons used in Nov= 2x

Gallons used in Sep + Oct + Nov= x + (x+12) + 2x = 132

x + x + 12 + 2x = 132

4x + 12 = 132

4x= 132-12

4x= 120

x= 30

Since 30 gallons were used in Sep,

30+ 12= 42 gallons were used in Oct

and,

30 times 2 = 60 gallons were used in Nov.

There's another way with diagrams. I wished I could draw it out, anyhow...
_________
I_________I____ = Sep
I_________I_12_I_______ = Oct
I_________I___________I = Nov
Draw a bar to represent the number gallons used in Sep.
Right below the bar, draw another equal bar, then extend a little more to represent the extra 12 gallons in Oct.

Right below the Oct bar, draw another bar for Nov.
This time, make it twice as long as the one for Sep. (which means there are 2 bars, side by side to represent Nov).

Now, what do you have? 4 equal bars and 12 gallons. What do they add up to? 132 gallons.

Take away 12 gallons. You are left with 120 gallons for 4 bars.

Therefore, each bar represent 30 gallons.

Sep= 1 bar= 30 gallons
Oct= 1 bar+ 12 gallons= 42 gallons
Nov= 2 bars = 60 gallons

Answer 2

for questions like these all you have to do is read the sentence and make a formula. i know that for beginners it may not be as easy as it sounds but i'll show you step by step:

The Randolphs used 12 more gal of fuel oil in October than in September:

From this you know that they used more gas in october than september right? and that they used 12 gal more in october.

so: if i let septembers gas be x gal
therefore: octobers gas will be 12 gal more = (x + 12)gal

if youre wondering how the hell i knew to name september x gal and not october, to be honest it doesnt matter.
let's see what happens if its the other way round.
if october is = x gal
then: september will be 12 gal lesser than october = (x - 12)gal

so you see? it really doesnt matter. as long as you clearly state what is your x and work from there and not stray, you cannot go wrong. and the reason i chose to make september x is becasue i prefer working with (x + 12) then (x - 12). : )

moving on...
so youve settled october: (x +12) gal
september: (x) gal
now for the seond part of the sentence:

and twice as much oil in November as in September.

this is relatively straightforward now that you already know that september is x gal.
since november is twice as more as september: november's gas = 2x gal

so now you know:
september: x gal
october: x + 12 gal
november: 2x gal

the next sentence is:
If they used 132 gal for the 3 months, how much was used during each month?

now this is easy.
since they used 132 gal for 3 months, it tells you that the TOTAL consumption for the 3 months would be equal to 132 gal.

hence,
x + (x + 12) + 2x = 132

bringing the 12 over:
x + x + 2x = 132 - 12

4x = 120
x = 30

Now that youve got x and you know the amount of gas used in each month in terms of x, all you have to do is substitute x = 30 into them and you've got your answers!

i hope this made you understand algebra a little bit more. Just remember to read and UNDERSTAND what's going on in the question. Name your unkown and stick to it! Write down your needed equations in terms of your unknown and you should have no problem!

Have fun with math.

Answer 3

Xsept=oil used in sept, Xoct=oil used in oct, Xnov=oil used in nov

Xoct = Xsept + 12
Xnov = 2 x Xsept
132 = Xsept + Xoct + Xnov

132=Xsept + (Xsept + 12) + (2 x Xsept)
Xsept = 30 gal
Xoct = 42 gal
Xnov = 60 gal

Answer 4

Sept. 30 gallons Sept. is X
Oct. 42 gallons Oct is X+12
Nov. 60 gallons Nov is 2X

Use this equation:

X+(X+12)+(2X)= 132

Now break it down the best way you can:

The first thing you can do is subtract 12 from both sides

X+(X+12)+(2X)= (132-12= 120)
-12= X

Now you have

X+ X + 2X = 120 //// X+ X is the same as saying 2X right?

So

2X + 2X = 4X= 120

120/4 =30

X=30
X+ 12= 42
2X= 60

Check it............ 30+60+42=132

Does that make any sense?

Answer 5

If the students current grade is a 90% then we’re of course assuming it’s out of 100% 90/100 Now since the students grade improved 20% from the last grading period then you add that to the previous 100% giving you 90/ 120 = .75 And since grades are in percentages you multiply .75 by 100 giving you 75% as the students previous grade

Answer 6

September = 30
November = 60
October = 42

Answer 7

.

(x+12)+(x)+(2x)=132

.. solve for x


= move +12 to the other side

x+x+2x=132-12
4x=120

therefore x=30

.. boo yah.

.
.

Answer 8

It looks like you just use this site for homework help. I think you should get a tutor or something. Or at least try it and if you have a specific problem while doing the problem ask us again.

Answer 9

If you haven't got the answer yet here ya go..
Sept.= 30 gal.
Oct. = 42 gal.
Nov. = 60 gal

Answer 10

september 30
october 42
november 60