Thread: [SOLVED] Very easy 2 variable problem here.

I can't believe I'm stumped with this problem, prolly (hopefully) because I'm just really tired. Anyways, here goes:

Marvelous Marilyn scored 273 points last season. All points were scored by way of 2 or 3 pointers. She only shot 119 times. How many of each shot did she make?

I need to:
Choose variables and state what they represent.
Write a pair of equations using your variables that represent the problem.
Solve the pair of equations graphically.
solve the pair of equations algebraically.
Answer the problem.

Any sort of mind refresher on how to solve such a problem (Or just do it xd) is great help. Much, MUCH thanks in advance.

Originally Posted by SpamAndRice

I can't believe I'm stumped with this problem, prolly (hopefully) because I'm just really tired. Anyways, here goes:

Marvelous Marilyn scored 273 points last season. All points were scored by way of 2 or 3 pointers. She only shot 119 times. How many of each shot did she make?

I need to:
Choose variables and state what they represent.
Write a pair of equations using your variables that represent the problem.
Solve the pair of equations graphically.
solve the pair of equations algebraically.
Answer the problem.

Any sort of mind refresher on how to solve such a problem (Or just do it xd) is great help. Much, MUCH thanks in advance.

You can fill in the gaps (like what x and y represent etc.) .....

2x + 3y = 273 .... (1)
x + y = 119 .... (2)

(1) - 2 times (2):

y = 273 - 2(119) = 35.

Sub into (2): x + 35 = 119 => x = ......

Sweet, thank you very much. That makes sense now. I don't know how I forgot something so simple xd

olawd... I'm stumped again. Why can't I remember anything? How do I make a system of equations when the solution is already given?

Originally Posted by SpamAndRice

olawd... I'm stumped again. Why can't I remember anything? How do I make a system of equations when the solution is already given?

(1) and (2) are the system of equations!

No, you answered my first question perfectly. The second one was just asking if they gave me a point, how would I find a pair of equations that both shared that point as a common solution. I figured that out too, though. Thanks anyway. =P