Question

48 students were divided into 2 groups for a field trip. The first group was 3 times as large as the second group less 12. How many students were in each group?

Answer 1

first group = 33

second = 15

Explanation:

Let size of second group = x

size of the first group = 3x - 12

x + 3x - 12 = 48

4x - 12 = 48

collect like terms

4x = 48 + 12

4x = 60

x = 15

Substitute for x in the equation for size of the first group

3(15) - 12 = 33