Question

Solve the following word problem by creating an algebraic equation and solving for the unknown value.

Madison and Mackenzie made $87 selling girl scout cookies. Madison made $15 more than 2 times as much as Mackenzie made. How much money did Mackenzie make?

Answer 1

the two equations used are x+y=87 along with x=2y+15

Answer 2

2 equations were used : x + y = 87 and x = 2y + 15

Explanation:

Defining variables:

Madison = x

Mackenzie = y

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Here's what we know:

Madison and Mackenzie made $87 selling girl scout cookies (TOGETHER). Therefore: x + y = 87

We also know that Madison made $15 more than 2 times as much as Mackenzie made.
Therefore: x = 2y + 15

Now we can substitute the 2nd equation (x = 2y + 15).

This gives us (2y + 15) + y = 87

After solving (2y + 15) + y = 87, we get y = 24

Okay, so now we know Mackenzie sold $24 worth of girlscout cookies...

this is also known as y = 24

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If we were to find out how much madison made aswell, here's what we would do.

We will put y = 24 back into the original equation (x + y = 87).

x + 24 = 87

x = 63

Madison sold $63 worth of girlscout cookies.