California is 5 degrees warmer than twice the temperature in Boise, Idaho. The temperature in San Diego is 61 degrees. Write an equation to determine the temperature in Boise.

Answer 1

Let C = temperature in CA

Let B = temperature in Boise

Let S = temperature in San Diego.

Now, we need to put the English words into math sentences. "IS" means "="

California is 5 degrees warmer than twice the temperature in Boise, Idaho. 

This becomes C = 5 + 2B

The temperature in San Diego is 61 degrees.

This becomes S = 61. But San Diego IS in CALIFORNIA, so this really represents C = 61

Now we can put C=61 into our first equation and get

61 = 5 + 2B

Subtract 5 from both sides.

56 = 2B

Divide both sides by 2

28 = B

So the temperature in Boise is 28 degrees.