How much does each man have

Together Marc and Paoli have $32. Marc has $4 less than twice the amount Paoli has. How much does each man have?

You have two equations:

Marc + $4 = 2(Paoli) or put differently Marc = 2(Paoli) - $4
and
Marc + Paoli = $32

substitute Marc for 2(Paoli) - $4 in the second equation you get

2(Paoli) - $4 + Paoli = $32

then solve for Paoli

3(Paoli) = $36
Paoli = $12

Then use the second equation and put $12 in for Paoli and solve for Marc

Marc + $12 = $32

so Marc = $20

Marc has m
Paoli has p
m + p = 32
m = 2p - 4

Two equations and two unknowns. You can substitute the value of m, given by the second equation, in the first equation and solve for p:

2p - 4 + p = 32
Therefore p = 12
and m = 20

Check to see if these values satisfy the statements given.

Write an equation from each of your first two sentences.

M + P = $32

M = 2P - $4

From the first one, M = $32 - P

Sub that into the second one in place of the M.

$32 - P = 2P - $4

2P + P = $32 + $4

3P = $36

P = $36/3 = $12. Paoli has $12, so Marc has M = $32 - P = $32 - $12 = $20

cheating won't help you on exam day beautiful

Marc has $12.
And Paoli has $20.