Question

The schools basketball team lost 4 times as many as they won. They also tied 5 fewer games than they won. If they played 43 games how many did they loose?

Answer 1

Let
x-------- > games won
y--------- > lost games----------------- > y=4x (I) equation
z------ > tied games--------------------- > z=x-5 (II) equation
x+y+z=43 (III) equation

substitute (I) and (II) in (III)
therefore
x+(4x)+(x-5)=43--------------- >6x-5=43------------- > x=48/6
x=8
y=4x=4*8=32

the answer is 32 lost games