Solve math problem w/ no algebra

[johnnyies]

Homework Statement

Daniel has 7 more stamps than Sherry. Together, they have 101 stamps.
How many stamps does Daniel have?

Homework Equations

let x equal how many stamps daniel has

x - 7 + x = 101
2 x = 108
x = 54

101 - 54 = 47

The Attempt at a Solution

Now, we can easily solve this w/ some algebraic equations, but how can we do this without any algebra, or just at an elementary school understanding of math?

 

[gabbagabbahey]

Trial and error would work fine...why?

 

[jegues]

Easy,

You take the total number of stamps, and take the extra 7 away.

101-7 = 94

Now they have an equal number of stamps, so let's split them in half equally.

94/2 = 47

Now they each have 47 stamps, but Daniel has 7 more so,

47 + 7 = 54.

Stamp count:

Sherry: 47
Daniel: 54

 

[icystrike]

Homework Statement

Daniel has 7 more stamps than Sherry. Together, they have 101 stamps.
How many stamps does Daniel have?

Homework Equations

let x equal how many stamps daniel has

x - 7 + x = 101
2 x = 108
x = 54

101 - 54 = 47

The Attempt at a Solution

Now, we can easily solve this w/ some algebraic equations, but how can we do this without any algebra, or just at an elementary school understanding of math?

I do understand that you want this to be as comprehensive a possible,
try not to use x to represent the stamps Daniel has , instead we may use "d" as the student can establish an relationship. And soon they adopt the use of algebra unknowingly. (=

 

[rootX]

Daniel has 7 more stamps than Sherry. Together, they have 101 stamps.
How many stamps does Daniel have?

same suggestion as gabbagabbahey.

We know Daniel cannot have more than 101 stamps. So assume that he has 50 stamps, Sherry would have 50-7. Total equals 50+50-7 which is less than 101.

Next assumption 60. Sherry would have 60-7 and total 60+60-7 which is more than 101.

Next assumption 55...

This is not trail and error to be honest. It is more like binary search. You keep on reducing the interval like I went from 50 to 60, then 50 to 55, .. then 52.5 to 55