The total cost of three automobile batteries is $182. The most expensive one is five times the cost of the least expensive. The third is $7 more than the least expensive. Find the cost of each battery.
A) The least expensive battery costs $25, the most expensive battery costs $125, and the third battery costs $32.
B) The least expensive battery costs $32, the most expensive battery costs $125, and the third battery costs $25.
C) The least expensive battery costs $27, the most expensive battery costs $121, and the third battery costs $34.
D) The least expensive battery costs $32, the most expensive battery costs $25, and the third battery costs $125.
E) The least expensive battery costs $125, the most expensive battery costs $32, and the third battery costs $25.

Question

The total cost of three automobile batteries is $182. The most expensive one is five times the cost of the least expensive. The third is $7 more than the least expensive. Find the cost of each battery.
A) The least expensive battery costs $25, the most expensive battery costs $125, and the third battery costs $32.
B) The least expensive battery costs $32, the most expensive battery costs $125, and the third battery costs $25.
C) The least expensive battery costs $27, the most expensive battery costs $121, and the third battery costs $34.
D) The least expensive battery costs $32, the most expensive battery costs $25, and the third battery costs $125.
E) The least expensive battery costs $125, the most expensive battery costs $32, and the third battery costs $25.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Let the cost of the least expensive battery be x. Then, the most expensive battery would be 5x and the third would be x + 7. Thus, we have the equation x + 5x + x + 7 = 182 which simplifies to 7x = 175. Solving for x, we get x = 25. Therefore, the least expensive battery costs $25, the most expensive battery costs $125 (5x) and the third battery costs $32 (x + 7). Thus, the correct answer is A.

The Total Cost of Three Automobile Batteries Is $182