Hi Alice,

Let me try this similar problem.

One number is two less than six times another number. The total of the two numbers is fifty-one. What are the two numbers?

Suppose the two numbers are m and k. The second sentence is easy to put into the form of an equation

m + k = 51

What about the first sentence, "One number is two less than six times another number." If the first number is the one we called m and the second k then this says

m is two less than six times k

or

m is two less than 6 × k

or finally

m = 6 × k - 2.

Take this value of m and substitute it for m in the first equation

m + k = 51 so 6 × k - 2 + k = 51

Hence 7k = 49 and thus k = 7. Since m + k = 51 we then have m = 44.

Check: Is m is two less than six times k?

Now try your problem,
Penny