In an athletics team, tall members are three times more likely to win a medal than short members. this year the team has won 60 medals so far. how many of these have been won by short athletes?

Well lets say y = the amount of medals won. lets say x is the amount won by short people and z is the amount won by tall. we know that the total medals is the total medals won by short and tall so:
y = x + z

it says that tall people are 3.times more likely. this would mean they won three times more than short people. so
z = 3x.

so if we know what z equals, we can replace z with what it is equal to. so:
y = x + z
y = x + 3x
y = 4x

we know that 60 medals were won so
y = 4x
60 = 4x
x = 15

that is the amount won by short people

step-by-step explanation:

when the line is solid:

it's either < or >

when the line is dashed:

it's either < or >

this > inequality sign means:

greater thanmore thanaboveexceeds

this < inequality sign means:

less thanfewer thanbelow

this > inequality sign means:

greater than/equal tono less thanat leastminimum of

this < inequality sign means:

less than/equal tono more thanat mostmaximum of

about the problem:

since the line is solid, that means it's either < or >

srry i'm not done ! i'll