Question

Suzanne bought 50 apples at the apple orchard. She bought 4 times as many red apples as green apples. How many more red apples than green apples did Suzanne buy?

Answer 1

Let x = the number of green apples, let 4x = the number of red apples
4x + x = 50         Set up the equation
5x = 50               Combine like terms
----   ----               Divide by 5 on both sides to get x alone
5      5
x = 10 green apples
4x = 4(10) = 40 red apples 

40 - 10 = 30. Suzanne bought 30 more red apples than green apples.

Answer 2

Let x = the number of green apples, let 4x = the number of red apples
4x + x = 50