Question

8. Erin has a number of pens. James has 4 times as many pens as Erin. Together they have 35 pens. How many does

Erin have?
Picture:
Define the variable:
Equation:

Answer 1

Erin has 8.75 pens or just 9 pens

Explanation:

35÷4= 8.75 then round

then to cheak your answer you would do 8.75×4= 35.

Answer 2

Erin has 7 pens and James as 28 pens.

Explanation:

Let e = the number of Erin's pens

Let j = the number of James' pens

e + j = 35 j = 4e

substitute in 4e for j in the first equation above.

e + j = 35

e + 4e = 35

5e = 35 Divide both sides by 5

e = 7 Plug 7 in for e in either equation above.

j = 4e

j = 4(7)

j = 28