how do i work this promblem

Question

john and eric collected baseball cards. eric had 3 times as much as john:together thedy had 236 baseball cards.how many baseball cards did each boy have?

Answer 1

Hi Amy,

 

Let's set it up: E for Eric and J for John.

 

E + J = 236.  E = 3 * (J).  So, substitute this fact.

 

3J + J = 236.  4J = 236.  J = 59.  John has 59 baseball cards.

 

Since John has 59, multiply by 3 for Eric.  Which it becomes to: 59 * 3 = 177.  So, Eric has 177 baseball cards.

 

To check it:   177  +  59    =   236.

                  (Eric) + (John)

 

Eric has 177 baseball cards and John has 59 baseball cards, each.

 

Good luck.