Question

A Midwestern competition awarded 38 ribbons. The number of blue ribbons was 1 less than the number of white ribbons. The number of red ribbons was 3 more than the number of white ribbons. How many of each kind of ribbons was awrded?

Answer 1

There are 12 white ribbons, 15 red ribbons, and 11 blue ribbons.

38=(w-1)+(w+3)+w
combine like terms
38=2+3w
subtract 2 from both sides
36=3w
divide 3 on both sides
12=w

w-1=b
12-1=b
11=b

w+3=r
12+3=r
15=r

Check Your Work
w+r+b=38
15+11+12=38
38=38