SOLUTION: Fares has 50 red, green, and blue balls. He has six more red balls than blue balls and four fewer green balls than blue balls. Write and solve an equation to determine how many blu

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Linear Equations and Systems Word Problems -> SOLUTION: Fares has 50 red, green, and blue balls. He has six more red balls than blue balls and four fewer green balls than blue balls. Write and solve an equation to determine how many blu      Log On


   

Question 1149350: Fares has 50 red, green, and blue balls. He has six more red balls than blue balls and four fewer green balls than blue balls. Write and solve an equation to determine how many blue balls Fares has
Found 2 solutions by josgarithmetic, ikleyn:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39625) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
system%28r%2Bg%2Bb=50%2Cr-b=6%2Cb-g=4%29

Question asks for b.
One equation in terms of just b can be formed and solved.

Answer by ikleyn(52847) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.

Let B be the number of blue balls;

then the number of red balls is (B+6), and the number of green balls is (B-4).


The total is 50, i.e.


    B + (B+6) + (B-4) = 50.


Simplify and solve for B


    3B +2 = 50

    3B = 50 - 2 = 48

     B          = 48/3 = 16.


ANSWER.  There are 16 blue balls.