Question

Assign two variables for each problem, and write the equations. Do not solve.

In the Alice High School band, the number of trumpet players is 4 times the number of French horn players. There are 35 trumpet and French horn players in the band. How many people play the trumpet?

Answer 1

Call the number of trumpet players "T" and the number of horn players "H".

We can use the given information to set up equations:

1."the number of trumpet players is 4 times the number of French horn players"

`T=4H`

2. "There are 35 trumpet and French horn players in the band."

`T+H=35`

If you were asked to solve you could now do it by substitution:

`4H+H=35`

`5H=35`

`H=7`

`T=4H`

`T=4(7)`

`T=28`