Let's use algebra to represent the number of gold medals won by each country.
Let G represent the number of gold medals won by France.
According to the information given:
1. The United States won 1 more than 4 times the number of gold medals France won, so the United States won 4G + 1 gold medals.
2. The United States won 7 more gold medals than France, so the United States won G + 7 gold medals.
Now, we can create an equation based on the information:
4G + 1 = G + 7
To solve for G (the number of gold medals won by France), you can isolate G on one side of the equation:
4G - G = 7 - 1
This simplifies to:
3G = 6
Now, divide both sides by 3 to find the value of G:
G = 6 / 3
G = 2
So, France won 2 gold medals.
Now, you can find the number of gold medals the United States won:
4G + 1 = 4(2) + 1 = 8 + 1 = 9
The United States won 9 gold medals.