Question

Jay and Blair went fishing. Together, they caught 27 fish. Jay caught 2 times as many fish as Blair. How many fish did Jay and Blair each catch? Write an equation and solve. Explain your work.

Answer 1

Leah,  Let x=Blair's fish and 2x= Jay's fish; yet together they caught 27 fish.  So, x + 2x=27;  Combine the like terms.  So, 3x=27;  Now divide both sides of the equation by 3, therefore, x=9 which is the amt of fish Blair caught.  So, 2(9)=18 is the amt of fish Jay caught.  Check:  9 +2(9)=27;  27=27.