Question 1196561
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The response from the other tutor shows a good typical formal algebraic solution -- which is probably what you were looking for.<br>
However, you can get good mental problem-solving practice by solving the problem informally, using logical reasoning and simple arithmetic.  Here are a couple of different ways.<br>
(1) 16 1-point free throws would have scored only 16 points; the actual total was 24-16 = 8 more than that.  Since each field goal is worth 1 point more than each free throw, the number of field goals must have been 8.<br>
(2) 24 points on 16 shots is an average of 24/16 = 1.5.  Since the average is exactly halfway between 1 and 2, the numbers of free throws and field goals must have been the same, so the number of field goals was 16/2 = 8.<br>