There were 30 more republicans than democrats. There is also one member of the independent party. If there are 435 all together, how many republicans are there?

Question

Write and solve an equation to find your answer

Answer 1

Let x = the number of Democrats. Then the number of Republicans equals (x + 30). The sum of the members (apparently in the U.S. House of Representatives) is:

 

x + (x + 30) + 1 = 435

 

The sum on the left represents the number of Democrats, Republicans, plus the 1 independent.

 

You should now be able to solve this linear equation for x, Nygma, which will enable you to determine how many Republican members there are.