Question

Atrice has 32 pieces of gum and gave away x pieces. Christie has 40 pieces of gum and gave away twice as many pieces as Atrice did. What is the number of pieces of gum both girls must give away to have the same number of pieces of gum left?

A. 8 pieces.
B. 3 pieces.
C. 2 pieces.
D. Not here.

Answer 1

To find the number of pieces of gum both girls must give away to have the same number of pieces of gum left, set up an equation and solve for x.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the number of pieces of gum both girls must give away to have the same number of pieces of gum left, we need to set up an equation. Atrice starts with 32 pieces of gum and gives away x pieces, so she has 32 - x pieces left. Christie starts with 40 pieces of gum and gives away twice as many pieces as Atrice, so she has 40 - 2x pieces left.

For both girls to have the same number of pieces of gum left, we can set up the equation 32 - x = 40 - 2x. Solving for x, we get x = 8. So both girls must give away 8 pieces of gum to have the same number of pieces of gum left.