SOLUTION: Please help! If you've read 3 times as many books as your friend but they've only read 4 less books than you, how many books have each of you read? Thank you!

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Question 988650: Please help!
If you've read 3 times as many books as your friend but they've only read 4 less books than you, how many books have each of you read?
Thank you!
Found 2 solutions by josmiceli, Boreal:
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let +a+ = number of books you have read
Let +b+ = number of books your friend has read
---------------------
given:
(1) +a+=+3b+
(2) +b+=+a+-+4+
-------------------
Substitute (1) into (2)
(2) +b+=+3b+-+4+
(2) +2b+=+4+
(2) +b+=+2+
and
(1) +a+=+3%2A2+
(1) +a+=+6+
---------------
You have read 6 books
Your friend has read 2 books
---------------------------
check:
You've read 3 times as many books as your friend
OK
Your friend but they've only read 4 less books than you
OK

Answer by Boreal(15235) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
x=books friend has read
3x= your books read
3x-4=x, since they have read four fewer books.
2x=4
x=2
Your friend has read 2 books
You have read 3 times as many or 6. That is four more than your friend.