Question

Maria has five more than twice as many hats as Beth. Together they have 26 hats. How many hats does Maria have?

Answer 1

Maria has 19 hats.

b=beth
m=maria
Equations: 2b+5=m
                  b+m=26

plug in 2b+5 for m in equation 2: b+2b+5=26
add like terms: 3b+5=26
subtract 5 from both sides: 3b=21
Divide 3 from both sides: b=7
now plug in 7 for b: 7+m=26
subtract 7 from both sides: m=19
m=Maria
therefore Maria has 19 hats