In a kitchen there are three containers that can hold different quantities of water, as shown in the figure below: Three containers of the same shape but different sizes are shown, starting with the shortest and ending with the longest. The following quantities are written below the containers. (x − 10) liters below the first, (x − 5) liters below the second, and x liters below the third. How many liters of water can the three containers hold in all?

Question

In a kitchen there are three containers that can hold different quantities of water, as shown in the figure below:  Three containers of the same shape but different sizes are shown, starting with the shortest and ending with the longest. The following quantities are written below the containers. (x − 10) liters below the first, (x − 5) liters below the second, and x liters below the third.  How many liters of water can the three containers hold in all?

anonymous · Answer

they really stretch to make these "word problems' don't they?

anonymous · Answer

what they are asking is for you to add 
$$x-10+x-5+x$$ i.e. combine like terms

anonymous · Answer

Thank you, it's been ages since I've been in school and I'm tutoring my friend for math I don't really remember

anonymous · Answer

you know how to combine like terms above?

anonymous · Answer

Yes, just didn't remember how to format the equation

anonymous · Answer

btw i use ubuntu but have tried mint and also puppy
you?

anonymous · Answer

I run Arch, best linux out there!

anonymous · Answer

laptop or desktop?  and should i check it out?

anonymous · Answer

just updated to ubuntu 14.04 seems ok

anonymous · Answer

Laptop. If you can install arch you shouldn't be running ubuntu, but most people can't install arch.