4th grade word proble

Question

Melissa read a number of books. Diego read three times as many books as melissa. If together they read 48 books, how many books did Diego read? Show and solve equation

Answer 1

Let's let "m" be the number of books the Melissa reads. Since Diego reads three times as many books as Melissa, then he reads "3 times m" or "3m" books

Together they read m + 3m and we are told that is a total of 48 so:

m + 3m = 48

This is the equation.

Now, to solve the equation, combine the "like terms". "m + 3m" = 4m so:

4m = 48

Now, divide both sides of the equation by 4

4m/4 = 48/4

Since 4/4 =1 then 4m/4 = 1m or just m

m = 48/4

Since 48/4 = 12 then

m = 12

So Melissa reads 12 books and Diego reads 3 times 12 or 36 books