System of Equations word problem

Question

During one game for the Phoenix Suns, Steve Nash scored 39 points on 17 field goals. How many of these field goals were 2-pointers and how many were 3-pointers?

Answer 1

Hi Ethan,

 

Try something like this.

 

Let x= # 2-pt field goals and y = # 3-point field goals

 

Then set up 2 equations with two unknowns based on the given information.

 

X + Y = 17   (There were 17 total field goals)

2x + 3Y = 39  (each X goal generates two points, each Y goal generated 3 points, and the total # points is given as 39.

 

Now solve that system of equations with whatever method is at your disposal (substitution, addition/elimination)