I have $10 too little to give $25 to each of my cousins. If I give each cousin $20, I will have $25 left over. How many cousins do I have?

Question

I have $10 too little to give $25 to each of my cousins. If I give each cousin $20, I will have $25 left over. How many cousins do I have?

Answer 1

First, assign variables:

N = the number of cousins

T = the total number of dollars

 

Then, write an equation to match each statement:

 

"I have $10 too little to give $25 to each of my cousins."

      25N - T = 10   (Says that T is 10 less than the amount I want to give)

 

"If I give each cousin $20, I will have $25 left over."

      T - 20N = 25   (subtract the amount given out from the total---leftover = 25)

 

Now, you can add the two equations, which will eliminate the "T" variable.  Then, solve the new equation for N.