Question

Shanice has 4 times as much many pairs of shoes as does her brother Ron. If Shanice gives Ron 12 pairs of shoes, she will have twice as many pairs of shoes as Ron does. How many pairs of shoes will Shanice have left after she gives Ron the shoes?

Answer 1

Let's define:

x: pairs of shoes of Shanice

y: pairs of shoes of Ron

Shanice has 4 times as much many pairs of shoes as does her brother Ron, means:

x = 4y (eq. 1)

If Shanice gives Ron 12 pairs of shoes, she will have twice as many pairs of shoes as Ron does, means:

x - 12 = 2y (eq. 2)

Replacing equation 1 into equation 2:

4y - 12 = 2y

4y - 2y = 12

2y = 12

y = 12/2

y = 6

and

x = 4*6 = 24

After she gives Ron the shoes, she will have left 24-12 = 12 pairs of shoes