how many points did tracy score?

Question

jackie scored 28 points in a basketball game. this was five less than three times the total points to her friend tracy scored.

Answer 1

Here’s how to solve word problems:

What are the quantities involved?
J = Jackie’s score
T = Tracy’s score
How are they related? Translate the words.
J = 28
J = 3T - 5
Substitute the one into the other
28 = 3T - 5
Solve for T
3T - 5 = 28
3T = 33
T = 11