# Algebraic expression for a word problem

I'm having trouble in coming up with an algebraic expression for the below.

Assuming "r = rooster" and "t = turkey" r = ? Would it be 1/5th of turkey "r = 1/5 * t" ?

A rooster weighs 5 times less than a turkey

For the second one it is "t = r + 8"

turkey weighs 8 kg more than the rooster

Question:- A rooster weighs 5 times less than a turkey, and the turkey weighs 8 kg more than the rooster. How much does each bird weigh?

• Yes. Those are the equations you want to solve. – fleablood Sep 26 '16 at 3:40
• Also, the phrase "x times less than" is mathematically weak and should be avoided. It is unfortunate when it appears in math problems. – turkeyhundt Sep 26 '16 at 3:55
• I would argue that $r =$ **the weight of a rooster** (in kg) as opposed to $r$ being an actual rooster. Even if an apple and an orange weigh the same an apple is not in fact an orange. This is, of course, semantics. – JMoravitz Sep 26 '16 at 4:01

$t=5r$ (1*) and $t=r+8$ (2*)
$5r=r+8 <=> r=2,$ then put r back into 1* or 2* and you get $t=10$