When a group of students are seated 3 to a bench in an auditorium, 18 are left standing. if they were seated 4 to a bench, 3 benches would be empty. find the number of benches and students

x = students

b = benches

when 3 are on a bench and 18 are standing the equation is:

x = 3b+18

 when 4 are sitting and 3 benches are empty the formula is

and x = 4b-12

so 3b+18 = 4b-12

rearrange to

4b-3b = 18 +12

so b = 30

 now plug that into the first formula

x=3(30)+18 = 108

 so 108 students and 30 benches

both equations and proportions are better.

answer: -0.5 would be the most likley outcome

step-by-step explanation: