SOLUTION: In 2006, the number of federal hazardous waste sites in California was 5 less than twice the number of sites in Washington. How many hazardous waste sites were there in Washington

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Question 626832: In 2006, the number of federal hazardous waste sites in California was 5 less than twice the number of sites in Washington. How many hazardous waste sites were there in Washington if there were 27 such sites in California?
Answer by mengayzkie(3) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Given:
Let x = the # of hazardous sites in California
y = the # of hazardous sites in Washington
The number of hazardous waste sites in California can be represented as:
x = 2y - 5 which is equal to 27
Substitute the value of x from the given, thus giving us:
27 = 2y - 5
27 + 5 = 2y
to solve for y:
32= 2y
y = 16
therefore there are 16 hazardous waste sites in Washington
checking:
substitute the values of x and y:
27 = 2(16) - 5
27 = 32 - 5
27 = 27 checked!