Question

In a basketball game Fintan made 16 baskets. Each of the baskets is worth either 2 or 3

points, and Fintan scored a total of 39 points from baskets. How many 3 point baskets did
Fintan make in the game?

Answer 1

Let x represent a 2-point basket, and y represent a 3-point basket.

Basket equation: x + y = 16
Point equation 2x + 3y = 39

Solve using system of equations:
if x + y = 16, then x = 16 - y

Plug into the second equation:
2(16-y) + 3y = 39
32 - 2y + 3y = 39
32 + y = 39
y = 7

So the number of 3-point baskets scored was 7. Hope this helps, let me know if there’s a step you don’t understand! :)