document.write( "Question 423217: twenty-six students entered their projects in the science fair. the number of girls was 4 fewer than twice the number of boys. how many boysand how manygirls entered their projects in the fair? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #295250 by oberobic(2304)\"\" \"About 
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Always start by turning the words into sentences that are easier to understand.
\n" ); document.write( "g = number of girls
\n" ); document.write( "b = number of boys
\n" ); document.write( ".
\n" ); document.write( "The number of girls is 4 fewer than 2 times the number of boys.
\n" ); document.write( "In other words, the number of girls equals 2 times the number of boys minus 4.
\n" ); document.write( "g = 2b - 4
\n" ); document.write( ".
\n" ); document.write( "The total number of entrants equals 26.
\n" ); document.write( "Of course, the total number of entrants equals the number of girls plus the number of boys.
\n" ); document.write( "26 = g + b
\n" ); document.write( "Alternately, we can say:
\n" ); document.write( "g = 26 - b
\n" ); document.write( "or
\n" ); document.write( "b = 26 - g
\n" ); document.write( ".
\n" ); document.write( "Looking back, we know...
\n" ); document.write( "g = 2b - 4
\n" ); document.write( "and
\n" ); document.write( "g = 26 - b
\n" ); document.write( "so, we can substitute...
\n" ); document.write( "g = g
\n" ); document.write( "which means
\n" ); document.write( "2b -4 = 26 - b
\n" ); document.write( "adding b to both sides
\n" ); document.write( "3b -4 = 26
\n" ); document.write( "adding 4 to both sides
\n" ); document.write( "3b = 30
\n" ); document.write( "dividing both sides by 3
\n" ); document.write( "b = 10
\n" ); document.write( ".
\n" ); document.write( "From above we know:
\n" ); document.write( "g = 26 - b
\n" ); document.write( "g = 26 - 10
\n" ); document.write( "g = 16
\n" ); document.write( ".
\n" ); document.write( "Always check your work!
\n" ); document.write( ".
\n" ); document.write( "Does the number of girls equal two times the number of boys minus 4?
\n" ); document.write( "g = 2*10 -4
\n" ); document.write( "g = 20 - 4
\n" ); document.write( "g = 16
\n" ); document.write( "That checks.
\n" ); document.write( ".
\n" ); document.write( "Remember to state your answer clearly.
\n" ); document.write( "The number of boys equals 10. The number of girls euqals 16.
\n" ); document.write( ".
\n" ); document.write( "Done.
\n" ); document.write( "
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