Question

Ernesto loses \[14.5pounds\] in \[7months\]. Now he weighs \[156.5pounds\]. How much did he weigh before those \[7months\]?

Answer 1

Hint: We will be using the property of addition to obtain the initial weight of Ernesto \[7months\] before he lost his weight. We just need to add the present weight of Ernesto with the weight he lost in \[7months\]. We will get the weight of Ernesto \[7months\] ago.

Complete step by step solution:
According to the question we have to find the weight of Ernesto \[7months\] ago.
We are given that he now weighs \[156.5pounds\], that is this is the new weight not only for us but also for Ernesto. He lost some good amount of weight in \[7months\]. It is also given that during these seven months he lost \[14.5pounds\] of his body weight.
At first, it may sound very easy, but at the same time this question has a great scope of making mistakes in calculating the weight \[7months\] ago. If we mistook it for \[7months\] ahead, the whole question will get wrong. And because he lost his weight to attain the present age, we will have to add to the present to know his initial age.
So, carefully noting down the figures and using it for the calculation.
The present weight of Ernesto \[=156.5pounds\]
Weight Ernesto lost in \[7months\] \[=14.5pounds\]
Therefore, the weight of Ernesto \[7months\] ago = present weight of Ernesto + Weight Ernesto lost in \[7months\]
\[\begin{align}
  & =156.5pounds+14.5pounds \\
 & =171pounds
\end{align}\]

Note: The weight lost \[7months\] ago should not be mistaken with the weight yet to lose. And while calculating the previous weight (that is before 7 months) the weight lost should be added to the present weight and then calculated.
Therefore, the weight of Ernesto \[7months\] ago was \[171pounds\].