Problem: find the number of each
36 children received one of the first, second or third
prizes at an art show. there were 3 first place ribbons
and there were twice as many third place ribbons as
second place ribbons. Find the number of each
Presumably all 36 children received a ribbon so that no-one's
feelings would be hurt. Therefore, our equation is
3 + x + 2x = 36 3 first place, unknown second place, twice as many third place
3 + 3x = 36
3 + 3x - 3 = 36 - 3
3x = 33
3x/3 = 33/3
x = 11
2x = 2(11) = 22
The problem statement says there were 3 first place ribbons.
There were 11 second place ribbons and 22 third place ribbons.
3 + 11 + 22 = 36