All we need are these words:
the distance from Earth to Saturn is 29 million miles more than 21 times the distance from Earth to mars. If the distance to Saturn is 743 million miles, what is the distance to mars
Let x = the distance from Earth to Mars (in millions of miles)
the distance from Earth to Saturn is 29 million miles more than 21 times the distance from Earth to mars.
Replace the words "the distance from Earth to Saturn" by 743
743 is 29 million miles more than 21 times the distance from Earth to mars.
Replace the words "the distance from Earth to Mars" by x
743 is 29 million miles more than 21 times x.
Replace the words "21 times x" by 21x
743 is 29 million miles more than 21x.
Erase the "million miles", because that's understood
743 is 29 more than 21x.
Replace the words "29 more than 21x" with 21x + 29
743 is 21x + 29
Replace the word "is" by an equal sign "=":
743 = 21x + 29
Subtract 29 from both sides:
714 = 21x
Divide both sides by 21
34 = x
Answer: It's 34 million miles from Earth to Mars.
Edwin