Question

jenna and shauna are comparing how many books theyve read this school year. shauna read 16 fewer books than jenna. if jenna read 34 books, how many books did shauna read?
jenna
34
34 - 16 = b
34 + 16 = b
b + 16 = 34
16 - 34 = b
34 - b = 16

Explanation:

Step1: Identify valid equations

Let $b$ = Shauna's books. Since Shauna read 16 fewer than Jenna (34), valid equations are:

1. $34 - 16 = b$ (Jenna's books minus 16 = Shauna's)
2. $b + 16 = 34$ (Shauna's books plus 16 = Jenna's)
3. $34 - b = 16$ (Jenna's minus Shauna's = 16 fewer)

Step2: Calculate Shauna's books

Use $34 - 16 = b$

$$\begin{align} b &= 34 - 16 \\ b &= 18 \end{align}$$

Answer:

Valid equations:

• $34 - 16 = b$
• $b + 16 = 34$
• $34 - b = 16$

Number of books Shauna read: 18