Question

Ortega is trying to fill three bags equally with sand. He wants the bags to weigh the same. If the bags currently weigh 55 pounds, 51 pounds, and 48 pounds. Can Ortega get each bag to weigh the same by moving the weight around?

Answer 1

yes

Explanation:

The average weight of the three bags is ...

(55 +51 +48)/3 = 154/3 = 51 1/3 . . . pounds

By removing 3 2/3 pounds of sand from the heaviest bag, adding 1/3 pound to the middle-weight bag, and the remaining 3 1/3 pounds to the lightest bag, Ortega can make all of the bags weigh the same: 51 1/3 pounds.