The u.s senate has 100 members. After a certain election there were four more democrats than republicans with no other parties represented. How many members of each party were their in the senate?

Question

jigglypuff314 · Answer

x -> dem
y -> rep

x + y = 100
y = x + 4

anonymous · Answer

ok so what is the best way to figure this out?

jigglypuff314 · Answer

substitution.
plug in  x+4 for y  into   x+y =100

to get   x+x+4 = 100         solve for x

anonymous · Answer

so what numbers do i plug in? is it what equals 100?

jigglypuff314 · Answer

I plugged in y for you
just solve for x now :)

x+x+4 = 100
2x + 4 = 100

anonymous · Answer

48? so where do iput 48?

jigglypuff314 · Answer

x = democrats = 48

anonymous · Answer

ok how do i find the republicans?

jigglypuff314 · Answer

then plug  48  for x   back into  y = x + 4    and solve for y  :)

anonymous · Answer

52?

jigglypuff314 · Answer

yep :)

anonymous · Answer

it says its wrong?

jigglypuff314 · Answer

oh crap sorry, I mixed up the x and ys
it's the right numbers,but democrats would have the larger number

anonymous · Answer

thanks :)