In this activity, you will use a variable to create expressions for various relationships. Then you will use these expressions to form a linear equation. Finally, you will find the solution to the equation. Theresa has two brothers, Paul and Steve, who are both the same height. Paul says he is inches shorter than times Theresa’s height. Steve says he is inches shorter than times Theresa’s height. If they are both right, how tall is Theresa?

To solve a problem like this one, you can use a linear equation where the variable represents Theresa’s height in inches. Let represent Theresa’s height in inches. Use the Distributive Property to make the two variable terms into a single term. Then perform the operations needed on the numeric terms to combine them into one number.