Let's break this down:
Total Pictures = 77
Drew's Pictures = X (An unknown amount)
Danielle's Pictures = 17 + 2X (2 times the amount of Drew plus 17)
So, let's put the pieces together, the problem should look like this:
Total Pictures = Drew's Pictures + Danielle's Pictures
So let's put in what we know:
77 = X + (17 + 2X)
1st step is to get X to one side:
77 = X + 17 + 2X
-17 - 17
=> 60 = X + 2X
=> 60 = 3X
Now that X is on one side, the 2nd step is to get X to be alone:
60/3 = 3X/3 (We have to divide to each side because the answer is equal)
20 = X
So, now that we know what X equals, let's go back to what we broke down:
Drew's Pictures = X (An unknown amount)
Danielle's Pictures = 17 + 2X (2 times the amount of Drew plus 17)
Remember that X = 20
So the amount of Drew's Pictures (since the amount is equal to X) is 20.
Danielle had 17 + 2X pictures which means:
17 + 2(20)
17 + 40
57
So Danielle took 57 pictures
