Answer :
To find out how many adults can safely ride the elevator, follow these steps:
1. Determine the Maximum Weight the Elevator Can Hold:
- The elevator can hold a maximum of [tex]\(3 \frac{1}{2}\)[/tex] tons.
2. Convert Tons to Pounds:
- We need to convert the maximum weight from tons to pounds because the average adult weight is given in pounds.
- 1 ton is equivalent to 2000 pounds.
- So, [tex]\(3 \frac{1}{2}\)[/tex] tons is equal to [tex]\(3.5 \times 2000\)[/tex] pounds.
- This equals 7000 pounds.
3. Calculate the Maximum Number of Adults:
- Assume an average adult weight of 218 pounds.
- To find out how many adults the elevator can hold, divide the total weight capacity in pounds by the average adult weight.
- [tex]\( \frac{7000 \, \text{pounds}}{218 \, \text{pounds/adult}} \approx 32.11 \)[/tex].
4. Determine the Maximum Number of Whole Adults:
- Since you can't have a fraction of a person in the elevator, we round down to the nearest whole number.
- Therefore, the maximum number of adults who can safely ride the elevator is 32.
Thus, the elevator can safely accommodate up to 32 adults.
1. Determine the Maximum Weight the Elevator Can Hold:
- The elevator can hold a maximum of [tex]\(3 \frac{1}{2}\)[/tex] tons.
2. Convert Tons to Pounds:
- We need to convert the maximum weight from tons to pounds because the average adult weight is given in pounds.
- 1 ton is equivalent to 2000 pounds.
- So, [tex]\(3 \frac{1}{2}\)[/tex] tons is equal to [tex]\(3.5 \times 2000\)[/tex] pounds.
- This equals 7000 pounds.
3. Calculate the Maximum Number of Adults:
- Assume an average adult weight of 218 pounds.
- To find out how many adults the elevator can hold, divide the total weight capacity in pounds by the average adult weight.
- [tex]\( \frac{7000 \, \text{pounds}}{218 \, \text{pounds/adult}} \approx 32.11 \)[/tex].
4. Determine the Maximum Number of Whole Adults:
- Since you can't have a fraction of a person in the elevator, we round down to the nearest whole number.
- Therefore, the maximum number of adults who can safely ride the elevator is 32.
Thus, the elevator can safely accommodate up to 32 adults.
