Question

Bob spent twice as much as james, who spent four times as much as Nava. If Bob and James together spent $180, how much did James spend?

Answer 1

"Bob spent twice as much as James, who spent four times as much as Nava"

Bob: b
James: j
Nava: n

Bob spent twice as much as James: b=2j
James spent four times as much as Nava: j=4n

Bob and James together spent $180: b+j=180
but we have: b=2j
-------------------
2j+j=180
3j=180 >> j=60$
b=2j=120$
Recall this: j=4n >>>> 60=4n >>>>>n=15$


SO far we calculated how much everyone spent

I hope that helps!

Answer 2

Let's say that Bob is x and James is y

x + y = 180
x = 2y

2y + y = 180
y = 60.
James spent 60 dollars.