Question

Heather, Ahmad, and Jim have a total of $68 in their wallets. Heather has $8 less than Jim. Ahmad has 2 times what Jim has. How much does each have?

Answer 1

Explanation:

1. Set x equal to the amount of money Jim has

• Jim's money = x

2. Create equations of the amount of money the other people have based on x

• Heather's money = x - 8
• Ahmad's money = 2x

3. Now, we set all of these equations as equal to 68

• 
  `(x)+(x-8)+(2x)=68`

4. Combine the like terms, which means that the previous equation will simplify to:

• 
  `4x-8=68`

5. Add 8 to both sides

• 
  `8+4x-8=68+8`
• This simplifies to:
  `4x=76`

6. Divide 76 by 4

• 
  `(4x)/(4) =(76)/(4)`
• This equals: x = 19

7. Plug the value of x into the previous equations:

• Jim's money: $19
• Heather's money:
  `19-8=11` -> $11
• Ahmad's money:
  `2*19=36` -> $36

Final Answer:

• Jim has $19
• Heather has $11
• Ahmad has $36