Math Is Fun Forum

aube0008

Member

Registered: 2008-07-01

Posts: 4

Pre-Algebra Question

I need help setting up this problem so that I can solve it.

Mike has 2 more baseball cards than Jen.  Then he bought 3 baseball card from Jen.  Now how many more baseball cards does Mike have than Jen?

Thank You!

John E. Franklin

Member

Registered: 2005-08-29

Posts: 3,588

Re: Pre-Algebra Question

Mike - 2 = Jen is one way or Mike = Jen + 2, either way.

Then he got 3 from Jen

NewJen = Jen - 3 and so  NewJen + 3 = Jen

NewMike = Mike + 3

See above how Jen lost 3, and Mike got 3 ?

Now you need to find out what is NewMike = NewJen + howMuch ??

NewMike = Mike + 3

NewMike = (Jen + 2) + 3

NewMike = (NewJen + 3) + 2) +3

NewMike = NewJen + 5 + 3

NewMike = NewJen + 8

So NewMike has 8 more cards than NewJen.

Last edited by John E. Franklin (2008-07-30 09:01:39)

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simron

Real Member

Registered: 2006-10-07

Posts: 237

Re: Pre-Algebra Question

Also, just assign some value to Mike for purposes of example (let's say he's got 5). Now subtract 2 from that to get 3 (Jen's number of cards). Next, add 3 to Mike's number and subtract 3 from Jen's number. That leaves you with Mike having 8 and Jen having none. 8-0=8, so John's answer is correct.

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