On the acorn problem

Johnathan has given the right solution to the acorns problem, so congratulations! you have gathered 2 extra credits for you grade this marking period. However, I'd like to make a remark about a mathematical method to solve the problem because Johnathan solution seems to come up by the guess and try method, which is perfectly valid though, at times, can be a little annoying and innefficient.



This problem can be solved by the following reasoning:



Chip has X acorns and Dale must have X+2 because then, when Dales gives one to Chip both will have the same, this is: X+1, as the first part of the problem states.

then when Dale receives one acorn from Chip he will have double than his friend. can be expressed by the following equation:

2(X-1)=X+2+1

Hence: 2x-2=X+3 and solving for X results: X=5

So Chip has 5 acorns and Dale must have 7.