Question

larry and steve have 171 marbles in all. the number of marbles larry has is 39 fewer than 3/7 of the number of marbles steve has. how many marbles does steve have.

Answer 1

L + S = 171
L = 3/7S - 39

3/7S - 39 + S = 171
3/7S + S = 171 + 39
3/7S + 7/7S = 210
10/7S = 210
S = 210 / (10/7)
S = 210 * 7/10
S = 1470/10
S = 147 <=== steve has 147 marbles

Larry has : 171 - 147 = 24 marbles