Maria has five more than twice as many hats as Beth. Together they have 26 hats. How many hats does Maria have?

Maria has 19 hats.

b=beth

m=maria

Equations: 2b+5=m

b+m=26

plug in 2b+5 for m in equation 2: b+2b+5=26

add like terms: 3b+5=26

subtract 5 from both sides: 3b=21

Divide 3 from both sides: b=7

now plug in 7 for b: 7+m=26

subtract 7 from both sides: m=19

m=Maria

therefore Maria has 19 hats