Gurpinder wrote:hi vineesh,

i wanted to clarify something. so the best method for these kind of problems is to have 1 equation for the total and 1 equation of the relationship and then substitute?

Hi Gurpinder,

I thought I'd jump in here.
The "best" approach here really depends on how comfortable you are with systems of equations. Also, note that you can use the elimination method when solving systems of equations.

Alternatively, you can solve this equation using 1 variable.
Since we're trying to find the number of pies that Alfred cooked, let's let A = the number of pies that Alfred cooked

Since there were 49 pies cooked altogether, we can say that 49-A = the number of pies that Nick cooked

Next we are told that: twice the number of pies that alfred cooked was 14 pies more than the number of pies that nick cooked

So, we can write 2A = 49-A + 14
From here, we have an equation that we can solve for A

2A = 49-A+14
2A = 63-A
3A = 63
A=21

Gurpinder wrote:Hi Brent,

I feel that my algebra skills are weak. Questions like the one @ the beginning of this post took me a minute or two to understand. What can I do to improve my skills? I am currently going through the MGMAT Foundations Book. But even in there, not much is taught on the basics of algebra.

I am familiar with solving equations using substitution or elimination methods. However, my trouble is sometimes COMING up with the equation itself.

What would you suggest I do?

Thank you for your help!

You're not alone - it's not easy to derive the equation necessary to solve a question.
Just remember that your goal is to manipulate quantities so that we can set one value equal to another value.
There are several resources for practicing this.
Here's one site to get you started: https://www.math.com/school/subject2/les ... 1L3GL.html