Chapter 4.10, Problem 16P

To determine

the number of books did Alison and Sean have in the beginning of the year.

Answer to Problem 16P

No solution.

Explanation of Solution

Given:

In the beginning of the year both have $24$ books together.

At the end of the year Alison doubled his books and Sean lost $3$ books and at the end of the year both have $46$ books.

Calculation:

Let number of books Alison have at the beginning of the year be $x$ then number of books Sean will have $\left(24-x\right)$ .

At the end of the year, Alison’s book.

  $=2x$ and

Sean’s book is.

  $\begin{array}{l}=\left(24-x\right)-3\\ =21-x\end{array}$

At the end of the year both have $46$ books then equation will be.

  $\begin{array}{l}\left(21-x\right)+2x=46\\ x=46-21\\ x=25\end{array}$

This number exceeds the total books they have at the beginning of the yaer.

Therefore, it has no solution.

Therefore, the answer No solution.