document.write( "Question 111048: Steve hit four more home runs than twice the number of home runs Larry hit. Together they hit 10 home runs. How many home runs did Steve hit? \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #81022 by oberobic(2304) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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As a general rule, always set the smallest quantity or amount to x.
\n" ); document.write( "In this case, we are told Steve hit more than Larry, so let x = number of home runs by Larry.
\n" ); document.write( "Since there were 10 home runs in total, then Steve hit 10-x.
\n" ); document.write( "This is another general principle for solving word problems: When you know the total, use it to define one of the unknowns.
\n" ); document.write( "The other thing we are told is that Steve hit 4 more (that means to add 4) to twice the number of homes hit by Larry (that means 2x).
\n" ); document.write( "So Steve hit 2x+4, and Larry hit x.
\n" ); document.write( "We know the total is 10, so we now have all the pieces for an equation:
\n" ); document.write( " $\"x+%2B+2x+%2B+4+=+10\"$
\n" ); document.write( "Combining the x terms, we have
\n" ); document.write( " $\"3x+%2B+4+=+10\"$
\n" ); document.write( "Now we subtract 4 from both sides
\n" ); document.write( " $\"3x+=+6\"$
\n" ); document.write( "Dividing through by 3 to remove the coefficient on x
\n" ); document.write( " $\"x+=+2\"$ , which we defined as the number hit by Larry.
\n" ); document.write( " $\"2x%2B4+=+8\"$ , which we defined as the number hit by Steve.
\n" ); document.write( "Checking, $\"2%2B8=10\"$ . \n" ); document.write( "

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