Please help! I have a word problem that I need to get an equation out of in order to solve with elimination, but I have no idea how to.

The three Math Idol judges have been eliminating contestants all day! The number of one-step equations and two-step equations who have been eliminated today is equal to 1150. If three times the number of one-step equations minus twice the number of two-step equations is equal to 1300, how many one-step equations eliminated today?

I know how to solve a system of equations by elimination, I just can't figure out what the system of equations is to solve!

Question

Please help! I have a word problem that I need to get an equation out of in order to solve with elimination, but I have no idea how to.

The three Math Idol judges have been eliminating contestants all day! The number of one-step equations and two-step equations who have been eliminated today is equal to 1150. If three times the number of one-step equations minus twice the number of two-step equations is equal to 1300, how many one-step equations eliminated today? 


I know how to solve a system of equations by elimination, I just can't figure out what the system of equations is to solve!

anonymous · Answer

something random

terenzreignz · Answer

Okay, first thing to do when given a word problem is representing (relevant) values.
Judging by your problem, the relevant values are the number of one-step and two-step equations... right?

anonymous · Answer

I think so

terenzreignz · Answer

Okay, so why don't we let x be the number of one-step equations and y be the number of two-step equations?

anonymous · Answer

alright

terenzreignz · Answer

Copying and pasting a sentence from your problem...
"The number of one-step equations and two-step equations who have been eliminated today is equal to 1150."

What does this tell you?

anonymous · Answer

both of the equations equal 1150?

terenzreignz · Answer

Well, the number of one step equations is x...
........the number of two step equations is y...

and there are 1150 total equations...

So can you translate that into Maths-Language? :D

anonymous · Answer

x + y = 1150? Haha I'm sorry if that's wrong..

terenzreignz · Answer

Yeah... but it isn't. That's actually quite correct :P

anonymous · Answer

I thought I was looking for a system of equations though>

anonymous · Answer

?*

terenzreignz · Answer

So you have one equation
x + y = 1150

We need another... allow me to copy and paste another sentence...
 
" If three times the number of one-step equations minus twice the number of two-step equations is equal to 1300..."

terenzreignz · Answer

That is to say, we need TWO equations to make a system... we're in the process of finding the second equation now...

anonymous · Answer

3x - 2y = 1300? Just a guess for now

terenzreignz · Answer

You're guesses are uncannily good :P
That's also correct XD

x + y = 1150
3x - 2y = 1300

You have a system, work it out, champ :)

anonymous · Answer

thank you so much! I really appreciate it!

terenzreignz · Answer

No problem. :)