1. **State the problem:** Jane owns comic books such that the number she owns is 1 less than 2 times the number Derrick owns. Together, they have 11 comic books. We need to find how many comic books Derrick owns. 2. **Define variables:** Let $d$ be the number of comic books Derrick owns. 3. **Express Jane's comic books in terms of Derrick's:** Jane owns $2d - 1$ comic books. 4. **Write the equation for total comic books:** $$d + (2d - 1) = 11$$ 5. **Simplify the equation:** $$d + 2d - 1 = 11$$ $$3d - 1 = 11$$ 6. **Add 1 to both sides:** $$3d - \cancel{1} + \cancel{1} = 11 + 1$$ $$3d = 12$$ 7. **Divide both sides by 3:** $$\frac{3d}{\cancel{3}} = \frac{12}{\cancel{3}}$$ $$d = 4$$ 8. **Answer:** Derrick owns **4** comic books. --- Since the user asked two questions, but per instructions we solve only the first, the second is ignored.