Beth went shopping. She bought 15 more cans of peas than twice the number of cans of corn that she bought. If she bought 35 cans of peas, how many cans of corn did she buy? Give the rationale and then the answer.
Let's think step by step. Let the number of cans of corn she bought be a. Twice the number of corn cans is 2 * a = 2a. The 35 cans of peas were 15 more than twice the number of corn cans which means 15 + 2a = 35. Solving the equation: 2a = 20. a = 20 / 2 = 10 cans of corn.. The answer is: 10.

Linda is repainting her bedroom. The wall area is 600 sq. ft. If a gallon of paint can cover 400 sq. ft., how many gallon cans of paint will Linda have to buy if she wants to do two coats? Give the rationale and then the answer.
Let's think step by step. Linda wants to do two coats, so the total area she will be painting is 2 coats * 600 sq. ft. / coat = 1200 sq. ft. A gallon of paint will cover 400 sq. ft., so Linda will need 1200 sq. ft. / 400 sq. ft. per can = 3 cans of paint.. The answer is: 3.

Miles is a musician. He owns three fewer trumpets than he has fingers, and two more guitars than he has hands. He also owns two more trombones than he has heads, and one fewer French horn than he has guitars. What is the total number of musical instruments that Miles owns? Give the rationale and then the answer.
Let's think step by step. Three fewer trumpets than Miles has fingers is 10 - 3 = 7 trumpets. Two more guitars than he has hands is 2 + 2 = 4 guitars. Two more trombones than he has heads is 2 + 1 = 3 trombones. And one fewer French horn than he has guitars is 4 - 1 = 3 French horns. Altogether, Miles owns 7 + 4 + 3 + 3 = 17 musical instruments.. The answer is: 17.