a dealer has 30 cars and trucks. If 2 more cars are delivered, the dealer will have 3 times as many cars as trucks. How many trucks does the dealer presently have?

Answer 1

t + 3t = 32

Solve for t.

Answer 2

Step 1:
Define variables:
c=number of cars
t=number of trucks

"a dealer has 30 cars and trucks" translates to
c+t=30
which means
t=30-c .....(1)

"If 2 more cars are delivered, the dealer will have 3 times as many cars as trucks." translates to
c+2=3t .....(2)

Substitute (1) in (2)
c+2 = 3(30-c) .....(3)
Solve for c:
4c=88, or c=22, so t=30-c=8

Answer: there are 22 cars and 8 trucks.