Question 119854
Lupe swims two fewer laps than Mary. If both added seven laps to their daily swims, the sum of their laps would be three times as many as Mary now swims.
:
Let x = laps swum by M now
Then
(x-2) = laps swum by L now
:
Make an equation from the statement:
" both added seven laps to their daily swims, the sum of their laps would be three times as many as Mary now swims."
:
(x+7) + (x-2+7) = 3x
x + 7 + x + 5 = 3x
2x + 12 = 3x
12 = 3x - 2x
x = 12 laps swum by M now
Then
10 laps swum by L now
:
:
Check solution using the same statement:
"both added seven laps to their daily swims, the sum of their laps would be three times as many as Mary now swims.
 19 + 17 = 3(12); confirms our solution