Question

For every 3 free throws Mike makes, Zoey makes 5.  If Zoey made 10 more free throws than Mike, how many free throws did Mike make?

Answer 1

If M and Z are the number of free throws each makes, then M/Z=3/5, so M=3Z/5.

Also Z=M+10.

Now we substitute for Z:

M=3Z/5=3(M+10)/5.

Multiply through by 5: 5M=3M+30, 2M=30, M=15 and Z=15+10=25.

Mike made 15 free throws.

CHECK

M/Z=15/25=3/5 OK

Z=M+10; 25=15+10 OK