My Math Forum Confusing Word Problem

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 September 20th, 2012, 05:01 PM #1 Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Confusing Word Problem I don’t know if my mind is blanking out, or I’m just plain stupid. Here is the word problem that I can’t seem to understand: While organizing his bookshelf, Michael noticed that he had eight more science-fiction novels than spy novels. If he owns 26 science-fiction novels and spy novels, how many of each type of novel does he own? Explain how you found your solution. Thanks if you help!
 September 20th, 2012, 06:01 PM #2 Global Moderator     Joined: Jul 2010 From: St. Augustine, FL., U.S.A.'s oldest city Posts: 11,917 Thanks: 311 Math Focus: The calculus Re: Confusing Word Problem Let x be the number of sci-fi novels and y be the number of spy novels. From the statement "he had eight more science-fiction novels than spy novels" we may write: $x=y+8$ From the statement "he owns 26 science-fiction novels and spy novels" we may write: $x+y=26$ If we substitute for x from the first equation into the second, we have: $y+8+y=26$ $2y=18$ $y=9$ Now, using the first equation, and substituting the value we found for y into it, we find: $x=9+8=17$ Thus, we find that Michael has 17 sci-fi novels and 9 spy novels.

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