Question

Difficulty: MediumLinear Equations in One Variable

A non-profit foundation distributes a total grant of $108,000\$108,000 among three research teams: Team A, Team B, and Team C. Team B receives $4,000\$4,000 more than Team A. Team C receives twice as much as the combined amount received by Team A and Team B. What amount does Team B receive?

  1. A
    $16,000\$16,000
  2. $20,000\$20,000Answer
  3. C
    $24,000\$24,000
  4. D
    $28,000\$28,000
  5. E
    $72,000\$72,000

Answer

Team B receives $20,000\$20,000.
Defining Team A's share as xx gives Team B a share of x+4,000x + 4,000 and Team C a share of 2(x+x+4,000)=4x+8,0002(x + x + 4,000) = 4x + 8,000. Combining these yields 6x+12,000=108,0006x + 12,000 = 108,000, which solves to x=16,000x = 16,000. Therefore, Team B receives 16,000+4,000=$20,00016,000 + 4,000 = \$20,000.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Define variables for each team's share in terms of a single unknown variable.
Let xx be the amount received by Team A in dollars. Then Team B receives x+4,000x + 4,000, and Team C receives 2[x+(x+4,000)]=2(2x+4,000)=4x+8,0002 \cdot [x + (x + 4,000)] = 2(2x + 4,000) = 4x + 8,000.
Expressing all quantities in terms of xx reduces the problem to a linear equation in one variable.
2
Set up the linear equation representing the total grant amount.
x+(x+4,000)+(4x+8,000)=108,000    6x+12,000=108,000x + (x + 4,000) + (4x + 8,000) = 108,000 \implies 6x + 12,000 = 108,000.
The sum of the individual shares must equal the total grant of $108,000\$108,000.
3
Solve the linear equation for xx.
6x=96,000    x=16,0006x = 96,000 \implies x = 16,000.
Subtract 12,00012,000 from both sides and divide by 66.
4
Calculate Team B's share using the value of xx.
Team B's share =x+4,000=16,000+4,000=20,000= x + 4,000 = 16,000 + 4,000 = 20,000.
The question specifically asks for Team B's share, not Team A's.

Key Concept

Formulating and solving a linear equation in one variable from a multi-step algebraic word problem.
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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