Guess and Check / Use Algebra

Question

 

Vincent has two more than three times the number of baseball cards that Bobby has. If Vincent gave Bobby 12 of his cards, they would each have the same number of cards. How many cards does Vincent currently have?

 

Answer 1

If B=number of cards Bobby has, then Vincent has 3B+2 cards.

If Vincent gives Bobby 12 cards then Vincent is left with 3B+2-12=3B-10 cards and Bobby has B+12.

Then they would have the same number of cards, so 3B-10=B+12, 2B=22, B=11 so Bobby currently has 11 cards and Vincent has 3B+2=35 cards.

Answer 2

Thank you!