Question

While holding his cat, Ben steps on a scale. The scale reads 161 pounds. Ben weighs 148 pounds. What is the weight of the cat?

Short answer

Weight of the cat $=13$pounds.

Step-by-step solution

Step-1- Calculating weight of cat

Reading on Scale $=$ Combined weight of Ben and cat $=161$ pounds.

Let us assume that weight of the cat be $x$ pounds.

From given information, we know that,

Reading on Scale $=$Combined weight of Ben and cat $=161$pounds.

Therefore,

Weight of Ben$+$Weight of cat$=161$

Step-2- Solving for value of x

On substituting values, we get

$x+148=161$

Subtracting $148$on both sides, we get

$\begin{array}{l}x+148-148=161-148\\ x=161-148\\ x=13\end{array}$

Step-3- Conclusion

Therefore, the weight of the cat $=x=13$pounds.