The mass of a papaya is 2.35 kg less than the mass of a watermelon. The totalmass of the two fruits is 4 kg 50 g. What is the mass of the watermelon in kg?
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: 3.2 kg
Explanation (300 words):
We are given two key pieces of information:
- The mass of the papaya is 2.35 kg less than the mass of the watermelon.
- The total mass of the papaya and the watermelon is 4 kg 50 g.
Step 1: Convert all units to kilograms
Since 50 grams = 0.050 kg,
Total mass = 4 kg 50 g = 4.050 kg
Step 2: Let the mass of the watermelon be x kg
Then, the mass of the papaya = x−2.35x – 2.35 kg
Step 3: Set up the equation using total mass
Watermelon mass+Papaya mass=4.050 kg\text{Watermelon mass} + \text{Papaya mass} = 4.050 \text{ kg} x+(x−2.35)=4.050x + (x – 2.35) = 4.050
Simplify: 2x−2.35=4.0502x – 2.35 = 4.050
Step 4: Solve for x
Add 2.35 to both sides: 2x=4.050+2.35=6.4002x = 4.050 + 2.35 = 6.400
Divide both sides by 2: x=6.4002=3.2x = \frac{6.400}{2} = 3.2
Step 5: Final Answer
The mass of the watermelon is 3.2 kg,
and the papaya is 3.2−2.35=0.853.2 – 2.35 = 0.85 kg.
Check: 3.2+0.85=4.053.2 + 0.85 = 4.05 kg ✔️
Conclusion:
This problem is a good example of using basic algebra and unit conversion. It’s important to work in the same units—so converting 50 grams to 0.050 kg was necessary. By assigning a variable (x) to the unknown, we formed an equation and solved it step-by-step. The watermelon, being heavier by 2.35 kg, ended up having a mass of 3.2 kg.