Question

The temperature was very cold. Then the temperature doubled. Then the temperature dropped by 10 degrees. Then the temperature increased by 40 degrees. The temperature is now 16 degrees. What was the starting temperature?

Answer 1

Answer: the starting temperature is - 7 degrees.

Step-by-step explanation:

Let x represent the starting temperature.

Then the temperature doubled. It means that it became 2x degrees

Then the temperature dropped by 10 degrees. It means that it became 2x - 10 degrees.

Then the temperature increased by 40 degrees. It means that it became 2x - 10 + 40 = 2x + 30 degrees.

If the temperature is now 16 degrees, it means that

2x + 30 = 16

2x = 16 - 30

2x = - 14

x = - 14/2

x = - 7 degrees

Answer 2

The temperature was very cold.

The starting temperature is -7 degrees.

Given:

Changes in temperature

Final temperature = 16 degrees

Let the initial temperature be x

After the temperature is doubled = $2x$

After dropping by 10 degrees = $2x - 10$

After increase by 40 degrees = $2x - 10 + 40$

As per the question, the value of x can be calculated as,

$2x-10+40=16\\2x+30=16\\2x=16-30\\2x=-14\\x=\frac{-14}{2}$

$x = -7$ degrees

Therefore, the starting temperature is -7 degrees.

For more information:

https://brainly.com/question/13727397