Question

Mary, Chau, and Josh sent a total of 87 text messages over the weekend. Mary sent 7 fewer messages than Chau. Josh sent 3 times as many messages as Mary. How many messages did each of them send?

a) Mary: 20, Chau: 27, Josh: 40
b) Mary: 25, Chau: 32, Josh: 30
c) Mary: 22, Chau: 29, Josh: 36
d) Mary: 18, Chau: 25, Josh: 44

Answer 1

Mary sent 22 messages, Chau sent 29 messages, and Josh sent 36 messages.

Step-by-step explanation:

We can solve this problem by setting up a system of equations.

Let's say that Chau sent x messages. Mary sent 7 fewer messages, so Mary sent x - 7 messages. Josh sent 3 times as many messages as Mary, so Josh sent 3(x - 7) messages.

Together, they sent a total of 87 messages, so we can write the equation x + (x - 7) + 3(x - 7) = 87. Solving this equation, we find that x = 29.

Therefore, Mary sent x - 7 = 22 messages, Chau sent 29 messages, and Josh sent 3(x - 7) = 36 messages.