Algebra word problem

Question

Davids bowling score is 5 less than 3 times Aarons score. The sum of their scores is 215. Find the scores of each student?

Answer 1

Their scores put together look like this:

 

D + A = 215

 

Ok, so, since we are doing algebra, we need to assign on of their scores as x!

 

 

Let's pick Aaron's score because David's score is described compared to his.

 

A = x

 

so

 

D + x = 215

 

Now, David's score is said to be 3 times Aaron's score minus 5, so let's write that in terms of x

 

D = 3x-5

 

Substituting that in, we get

 

(3x-5) + x = 215

 

We can now add five to each side to get the x's alone on one side.

 

3x + x = 220

 

Now Add x's together

 

4x = 220

 

I'll let you solve this one, and then we know that x was Aaron's score, so then you just have to plug in for David's.

 

Message if you need more help!

 

-Bobby