Let us assumeOlivia spent amount = $ x.
We are given that "Camille spent 19.40 less than twice what Olivia spent."
Olivia spent $ x. Twice of x is 2x and
19.40 less than twice Olivia spent(2x) is = 2x- 19.40
They spent together in total = $272.35.
We can setup an equation,
Amount spent by Olivia + amount spent by Camille = Amount spent by them together.
x + 2x- 19.40 = 272.35
Adding like terms x+2x, we get 3x
3x -19.40 = 272.35
Adding 19.40 on both sides.
3x -19.40+19.40 = 272.35+19.40
3x = 291.75
Dividing both sides by 3, we get
3x/ 3= 291.75/3
x = 97.25
Therefore,
Olivia spent = $97.25
Camille spent 19.40 less than twice what Olivia spent = 2* 97.25 - 19.40
= $175.10.