Question 111048
As a general rule, always set the smallest quantity or amount to x.
In this case, we are told Steve hit more than Larry, so let x = number of home runs by Larry.
Since there were 10 home runs in total, then Steve hit 10-x.
This is another general principle for solving word problems: When you know the total, use it to define one of the unknowns.
The other thing we are told is that Steve hit 4 more (that means to add 4) to twice the number of homes hit by Larry (that means 2x).
So Steve hit 2x+4, and Larry hit x.
We know the total is 10, so we now have all the pieces for an equation:
{{{x + 2x + 4 = 10}}}
Combining the x terms, we have
{{{3x + 4 = 10}}}
Now we subtract 4 from both sides
{{{3x = 6}}}
Dividing through by 3 to remove the coefficient on x
{{{x = 2}}}, which we defined as the number hit by Larry.
{{{2x+4 = 8}}}, which we defined as the number hit by Steve.
Checking, {{{2+8=10}}}.