The schools basketball team lost 4 times as many as they won. they also tied 5 fewer games than they won. if they played 43 games how many did they loose?

Let
x > games won
y >  lost games > y=4x     (I) equation
z > tied games > z=x-5      (II) equation
x+y+z=43     (III) equation

 substitute (I) and (II) in (III)
therefore
x+(4x)+(x-5)=43 >6x-5=43 > x=48/6
x=8
y=4x=4*8=32

the answer is 32 lost games