Question 960743
E=number of employees; N=number of pens
3E-1=N
2E+8=N Substitute for N
3E-1=2E+8 Subtract 2E from each side.
E-1=8 Add 1 to each side. 
E=9 There are 9 employees.
3E-1=N
3(9)-1=N
27-1=N
26=N ANSWER: There are 26 pens.
CHECK:
2E+8=N
2(9)+8=26
26=26