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Tyler and Paul each have a paper route. Tyler has 7 times as many newspapers to deliver as Paul.
After Paul took some of Tyler's papers, each boy had 20 papers to deliver.
How many newspapers did Paul take?
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x = # of newspapers Paul had originally;
7x = # of newspapers Tyler had originally.
y = # of newspapers Paul took of Tyler's papers.
Write equations as you read the problem
7x - y = 20 (1)
x + y = 20 (2)
To solve the system, add the equations. You will get
7x + x = 40
8x = 40
x = 40/8 = 5.
From equation (2), y = 20 - x = 20-5 = 15.
ANSWER. Paul took 15 newspapers.
Solved.