Scott read 4. Put it this way: x=4. If = 4, then put it into an equation. 5x-3= 17. So, you add three to both sides, then it comes out as this: 5x= 20. Divide by five, and you get x= 4.
Setup an equations: S = # Scott has read T = # Teri has read
T = 5S - 3 (3 less than means subtraction but switch term order) 17 = 5S - 3 ( substitute 17 for T because Teri read 17) 4 = S (when you solve the equation) Therefore, Scott read 4 books.
