The price of a brick today is 49¢. This is 3¢ less than 4 times the price 20 years ago. What was the price 20 years ago?

1 Answer
Mar 28, 2016

x=13

Explanation:

Let y equal the price today.
Let x equal the price 20 years ago.
The following equations are based upon the two statements above.
y=49
4x-3=y
Substitute y in the second equation.
4x-3=49
Solve for x
Add 3 to each side.
4xcancel(-3+3)=49+3
4x=52
Divide each side by 4.
(4x)/4=52/4
x=13