SOLUTION: Ralph and Homer read a total of 33 books over the summer. Ralph read three more than four times as many as Homer. How many books did each person read?

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Question 1150562: Ralph and Homer read a total of 33 books over the summer. Ralph read three more than four times as many as Homer. How many books did each person read?
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let +r+ = number Ralph read
Let +h+ = number Homer read
-------------------------------------
(1) +r+%2B+h+=+33+
(2) +r+=+4h+%2B+3+
--------------------------
(2) +r+-+4h+=+3+
Subtract (2) from (1)
(1) +r+%2B+h+=+33+
(2) +-r+%2B+4h+=+-3+
--------------------------
+5h+=+30+
+h+=+6+
and
(1) +r+%2B+6+=+33+
(1) +r+=+27+
Ralph read 27
Homer read 6
---------------------
check:
(2) +r+=+4h+%2B+3+
(2) +27+=+4%2A6+%2B+3+
(2) +27+=+24+%2B+3+
(2) +27+=+27+
OK