Henry and Jill have 94 marbles all together. Henry has 4 more than twice as many marbles as Jill has. How many marbles does each person have?

Question

Please help am confused.

Answer 1

First, set up your two equations, paying attention to what the problem says.

H + J = 94 (Henry's marbles plus Jill's marbles equals 94 marbles)

H=4+2J (Henry's marbles equals 4 plus two times Jill's marbles)

Since we can only solve an equation if it has just one variable, use the second equation to replace H in the first equation.

(4 + 2J) + J = 94

Now solve for J. Put the 2J and J together for 3J.

4 + 3J = 94

Subtract 4 from both sides.

3J = 90

Divide both sides by 3.

J = 30

So Jill has 30 marbles. Finally, put 30 into the first equation instead of J.

H + 30 = 94

Subtract 30 from both sides.

H = 64.

Jill has 30, Henry has 64.