Question

Paul, Colin and Brian are waiters.

One night the restaurant earns tips totalling £78.40.
They share the tips in the ratio 2:1:5.
How much more does Brian get over Colin?

Answer 1

Paul gets £2(9.8) = £19.6, and

Colin gets £1(9.8) = £9.8, and

Brian gets £5(9.8) = £49

Explanation:

Find the multiplier x in 2x + 1x + 5x = £78.40.

Summing up the left side: 8x = 78.40

Dividing both sides by 8 to isolate x:

x = 9.8

Then Paul gets £2(9.8) = £19.6, and

Colin gets £1(9.8) = £9.8, and

Brian gets £5(9.8) = £49

As a check, add these together; the sum must be £78.40:

£19.6 + £9.8 + £49 = £78.40. So our figures are correct.

Brian gets £49 and Colin gets £9.8. Subtracting, we obtain:

£39.20. This is the amount by which Brian's tips exceeds Colin's.