Scott and Teri read mystery novels. Teri has read 3 less than 5 times as many as Scott. She has read 17. How many has Scott read?

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.