America scored 3 fewer points than twice the number of points Dante scored Together they scored 33 points. How many points did America and Dante score individually?

Answer 1

One approach to solve this answer would be to use a system of equations.

The two variables we want to solve for are the points earned by America and Dante. Let's call those variables a, and d.

From the first half of the sentence, we know that America scored 3 fewer points than twice the number of points Dante scored. That is, a=2d-3

From the second half of the sentence, we know that Together they scored 33 points. That is a+d=33.

To solve this system of equations:

a=2d-3

a+d=33

One approach would be to use substitution. (Substitute a for 2d-3 in the second equation)

a+d=33

2d-3+d=33

3d-3=33

3d=36

d=12

Substitute 12 into the second equation:

a+d=33

a+12=33

a=21

Thus, Dante scored 12 points and America scored 21.

We can verify our solutions by plugging them back into the original equations:

Dante and America scored a combined total of 33 points, and America scored 3 less than double Dante.

Answer 2

Let A = America and D= Dante

Then A=2D-3 and A+D=33 from the narrative.

Substitute 2D-3 into the A+D=33 equation to get 2D-3+D=33

Solve to get D=12 and substitute 12 into A-2D-3 to get A=21