word problem i need help

Question

a box of candy contains 28 pieces. If the number of pieces of milk chocolate is 4 less than 3 times the number of dark chocolate, how many pieces of each kind are there

Answer 1

Assuming the box of candy only has milk chocolate (M) and dark chocolate (D) pieces...

Total number of pieces = 28 = Number of milk (M) + number of dark (D) = M + D

M + D = 28

M is 4 less than three times D

translate words into math

'is': =

less than: minus

times: multiplication

M = 3D - 4

M + D = 28

(3D - 4) + D = 28

3D - 4 + D = 28

combine like terms

4D - 4 = 28

add 4 to both sides

4D = 32

divide both sides by 4

D = 8 = number of dark chocolate pieces

M = 3D - 4 = 3(8) - 4 = 24 - 4 = 20 = number of milk chocolate pieces

check

M + D = 28

20 + 8 = 28