document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=1128070>Question 1128070</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Would appreciate a simple solution that a 5th grader can understand. Thanks in advance!\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Ron and Matt both bought postcards during their trip to New Zealand. At the end of the trip, they decided to trade. Ron traded half of his postcards for 9 of Matt’s postcards. After that trade, each of them has 21 postcards. How many postcards did Ron have before the trade? How many postcards did Matt have before the trade? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #744543 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=htmentor><B>htmentor(1343)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-12.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=htmentor><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=htmentor><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=744543\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Let R = Ron's postcards before the trade<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Let M = Matt's postcards before the trade<BR>\n" );
document.write( "After the trade, Ron has R/2 + 9 since he traded half and received 9 from Matt<BR>\n" );
document.write( "After the trade, Matt has M - 9 + R/2 since he gave away 9 and received half of Ron's<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Both have 21 after the trade.  In equation form this is:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "R/2 + 9 = 21<BR>\n" );
document.write( "M - 9 + R/2 = 21<BR>\n" );
document.write( "The first equation gives R = 24<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Solving for M in the second equation we get:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "M - 9 + 12 = 21<BR>\n" );
document.write( "This gives M = 18<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Ron has 24, Matt has 18 </SPAN>\n" );
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