SOLUTION: Is there a trick or an easy way to figure out word problems? my problem is writing out the equation. I can solve from there but getting the equation down is really blowing my min

Question 646686: Is there a trick or an easy way to figure out word problems? my problem is writing out the equation. I can solve from there but getting the equation down is really blowing my mind. I dont know why i cant get it.
"find two consecutive even integers such that the lesser added to 3 times the greater gives a sum of 46."

Answer by nerdybill(7384) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
no trick. just apply algebra:
"find two consecutive even integers such that the lesser added to 3 times the greater gives a sum of 46."
.
Let x = lesser of two consecutive even integers
then
x+2 = greater of two consecutive even integers
.
From:"the lesser added to 3 times the greater gives a sum of 46"
x + 3(x+2) = 46
x + 3x+6 = 46
4x+6 = 46
4x = 40
x = 10 (lesser)
.
Greater:
x+2 = 10+2 = 12
.
answer: 10 and 12
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