SOLUTION: I need help with coming up with the equation for word problems. Here are 2 word problems below that I am struggling with. Thanks Elaine sold 3 times as many magazines as Ron d

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Question 347725: I need help with coming up with the equation for word problems. Here are 2 word problems below that I am struggling with. Thanks

Elaine sold 3 times as many magazines as Ron did. Ron sold 16 fewer magazines than Elaine did. How many magazines did each sell?

A real estate salesperson bought promotional calendars and date books to give to her customers at the end of the year. The calendars cost $0.75 each, and the date books cost $0.50 each. She ordered a total of 500 promotional items and spent $300. How many of each item did she order?
Answer by nyc_function(2741) About Me  (Show Source):
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Elaine sold 3 times as many magazines as Ron did. Ron sold 16 fewer magazines than Elaine did. How many magazines did each sell?

Let E = Elaine

Let R = Ron

E = 3R

R = E - 16

E = 3(E - 16)

E = 3E - 48

E - 3E = -48

-2E = -48

E = -48/-2

E = 24

Elaine sold 24 magazines.

To find how Ron sold, plug 24 for E in either equation listed above and solve for R.

I will use R = E - 16.

R = 24 - 16

R = 8

Ron sold 8 magazines.