The length of johns patio is 5 feet less than 3 times the length of Howard's patio. John 's patio has a length of 40 feet. What is the length of Howard's patio?

Note: Always start word problems by getting down the basics. From there, the rest is a breeze.

Length of Howard's patio = h

Length of John's patio = 3h-5

Goal: Isolate the variable

3h-5 = 40

3h = 45

h = 15

Howard's patio is 15 feet long.

The legnth of jons patio (j) is (=) 5 feet less than (-5) 3 times the legnth of howards patio (3h)

j=-5+3h

j=3h-5

j=40

40=3h-5

add 5 to both sdies

45=3h

divide by 3

15=h

howerds patio if 15 feet legnth