Question

Jim solved a certain number of problems. Brenda solved 2 more than twice as many. Together they solved 38. How many problems did Brenda solve?

Answer 1

26

Explanation:

Had Brenda solved 2 fewer, their total would have been 36, and Brenda would have solved 2/3 of that number. (Jim solved 1/3 of that number.)

So, Brenda solved (2/3)·36 +2 = 24 +2 = 26 problems.

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Jim solved 12.

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Check: 2·12 +2 = 26; 12 +26 = 38.