Math Problem of the Week - Algebra and Up - Dec. 19, 2021 to Dec. 25, 2021

Algebra and Up: 

Question: Four teams have just finished a year-long competition. The Serpents scored 32 points more than 1.25 times the number of points scored by the Badgers. The Badgers scored 3 less than ⁵/₆ the number of points scored by the Eagles. The Serpents, Eagles, and Badgers scored a total of 1,250 points between the three of them. The Lions won the competition by 10 points. How many points did the Lions score?

Answer:  482points

Solution:  First, we set up a system of equations for the points scored by the Serpents, the Badgers, and the Eagles:

         S = 1.25B + 32

         B = ⁵/₆E – 3

         S + B + E = 1,250

When we solve this system, we get S = 472, B = 352, and E = 426. Since S is the greatest value so far and we know that the lions beat that score by 10 points, the lions must have scored 472 + 10 = 482 points.