Jane has $10 more than Bill, Bill has $17 more than Tricia, and Tricia has $21 more than Steve. If the total amount of all their money
is $171, how much morley does each have?
Steve has $
Tricia has $
Bill has $
and Jane has $
Let
x ------> amount that Steve has
y -----> amount that Tricia has
z ----> amount that Bill has
w ----> amount that Jane has
we know that
x+y+z+w=171 -------> equation A
w=z+10 -----> equation B
z=y+17 ------> equation C
y=x+21 -----> equation D
step 2
isolate variable y in equation C
y=z-17 ------> equation E
substitute equation E in equation D
z-17=x+21
isolate the variable x
x=z-17-21
x=z-38 ------> equation F
step 3
substitute equation F, equation E, and equation B in equation A
so
(z-38)+(z-17)+(z+10)+z=171
solve for z
4z-45=171
4z=171+45
4z=216
z=$54
Find the value of x
x=z-38 ------> equation F
x=54-38=$16
Find the value of y
y=z-17 ------> equation E
y=54-17=$37
Find the value of w
w=z+10 -----> equation B
w=54+10=$64
therefore
Steve has $16
Tricia has $37
Bill has $54
and Jane has $64