How many members of each party were there in there Senate?

Question

The US Senate has 100 members. After a certain election there were 20 more Democrats than Republicans, with no other parties represented. How many members of each party were there in there Senate?

Answer 1

Given:
The Senate has 100 members.
20 more Democrats than Republicans, no other parties

Define:
D = number of Democrats
R = number of Republicans:

Solve:
D = R + 20
R + D = 100
R + R + 20 = 100
2R +20 -20 = 100 -20
2R = 80
R = 40

D = R + 20
D = 40 + 20 = 60

60 Democrats, 40 Republicans.

Answer 2

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm