Question

In 1833 a ship arrived inCalcutta with 120 tons remaining of its cargo of ice. One third of the original cargo was lost because it had melted on the voyage. How many tons of ice was the ship carrying when it set sail? A.40 B.80 C.120 D.150 E.180

Answer 1

Answer: 180

Explanation:

Let the tons of ice the ship was carrying when it set sail be y.

We are told that one third of the original cargo was lost because it had melted on the voyage and that it arrived in Calcutta with 120 tons remaining of its cargo of ice.

This means that (1 - 1/3 = 2/3) remained which was the 120 tons remaining. This implies that:

2/3 × y = 120

2y/3 = 120

2y = 120 × 3

2y = 360

y = 360/2

y = 180

The ship was carrying 180 tons of ice when it set sail