When Mr. Lowe returned from his fishing trip,
his students inquired as to the length of his
prize catch.
Mr. Lowe answered:
"The head measured 9 inches."
"The tail was as long as the head and half the
body."
"The body was as long as the head and tail."
How long was Mr. Lowe's prize fish?
Solution to the Problem:
1. Let H, B, and T be three variables representing
the Head, Body, and Tail of the fish.
2. H = 9".
3. T = H + 1/2 B
4. B = H + T
5. So, B = 9 + 9 + 1/2 B, by substitution.
6. Therefore, B = 36".
7. So, T = 9 + 18 = 27".
8. The Fish = H + B + T or 72" in length.