A dad gave his 3 sons each the same amount of money in an envelope. He took $20 from one son for get

Discussion in 'Calculator Requests' started by math_celebrity, Sep 15, 2016.

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  1. math_celebrity

    math_celebrity Administrator Staff Member

    A dad gave his 3 sons each the same amount of money in an envelope. He took $20 from one son for getting a D on a math test and he gave another son an extra $35 for doing extra chores. Combined, the sons had $81. Figure out how much each son had.

    Let x, y, and z be the money each son received.

    To begin, x = y = z.

    But then, Dad took 20 from son X and gave it to son Y.
    So now, x = y - 20

    Next, he gave Son Z an extra $35 for chores
    So z is now y + 35 since y and z used to be equal

    Combined, they all have 81.
    x + y + z = 181

    But with the changes, it is:
    (y - 20) + y + (y + 35)

    Combine like terms:
    3y - 20 + 35 = 81
    3y + 15 = 81

    Subtract 15 from each side:
    3y = 66

    Divide each side by 3 to isolate y
    y = 22

    Since x = y - 20, x = 2

    Since z = y + 35, we have z = 57

    Checking our work, 2 + 22 + 57 = 81.
     

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