document.write( "Question 24970: Richard has four times as many marbles as John. If Richard gave 18 to John they would have the same number. How many marbles has each?\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Please tell me the exact steps to solve this, thanks :)
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Algebra.Com's Answer #13351 by wuwei96815(245)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
First, assign values to Richard and John's marbles based on the wording of the problem. We get:
\n" ); document.write( "x=John's marbles
\n" ); document.write( "4x=Richard's marbles\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Next, write an equation based on the word clues in the probelm. We get:
\n" ); document.write( "4x-18=x\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Finally solve the equation.
\n" ); document.write( "4x-18=x
\n" ); document.write( "4x-x=18
\n" ); document.write( "3x=18
\n" ); document.write( "x=6
\n" ); document.write( "4x=24\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "The main problem with word problems is converting the words to a math problem that can be solved. So, word problems are often primarily problems of interpretation.
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