Question

Scott and Teri read mystery novels. Teri has read 3 less than 5 times as many as Scott. She has read 17. How many has Scott read?

Answer 1

Setup an equations:
S = # Scott has read
T = # Teri has read

T = 5S - 3   (3 less than means subtraction but switch term order)
17 = 5S - 3 ( substitute 17 for T because Teri read 17)
4 = S (when you solve the equation)
Therefore, Scott read 4 books.

Answer 2

Scott read 4. Put it this way: x=4. If = 4, then put it into an equation. 5x-3= 17. So, you add three to both sides, then it comes out as this: 5x= 20. Divide by five, and you get x= 4.