Question

nancy and kevin collect coins. nancy has x coins. kevin has 3 coins fewer than three times the number of coins nancy has. write and simplify an expression for the total number of coins nancy and kevin have.

nancy and kevin have \\(\square\\) coins.
(simplify your answer.)

Explanation:

Step1: Find Kevin's coins

Kevin has 3 fewer than 3 times Nancy's coins. Nancy has \( x \) coins, so 3 times Nancy's coins is \( 3x \), and 3 fewer is \( 3x - 3 \).

Step2: Find total coins

Total coins are Nancy's coins plus Kevin's coins. Nancy has \( x \), Kevin has \( 3x - 3 \), so total is \( x + (3x - 3) \). Simplify: \( x + 3x - 3 = 4x - 3 \).

Answer:

\( 4x - 3 \)