Question

Two containers of gasoline

hold a total of fifty gallons. The big

container can hold ten gallons less

than twice the small container.

How many gallons does each

container hold?

Short answer

The bigger container contains$30$gallons and smaller container$20$gallons

Step-by-step solution

Step 1. Given 

Two containers are given bigger container is ten gallons less twice the smaller container

Step 2. Calculation

Let the bigger container contains $x$gallons

and the smaller container contains $y$gallons

according to the question,

$x+y=50$and $x=2y-10$

Put the value of $x$in the first equation,

$$\begin{gathered} x+y=50 \\ 2y-10+y=50 \\ 3y=50+10 \\ 3y=60 \\ y=20 \end{gathered}$$

Put the value of $y$in any equation,

$$\begin{gathered} x+y=50 \\ x+20=50 \\ x=50-20 \\ x=30 \end{gathered}$$