Question

Hello, I need some help understanding this word problem. Thank you.

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation

Let the number of messages John sent be x. Therefore since Lena sent 5 fewer messages than John, therefore, the number of messages sent by Lena becomes

`x-5`

Also, Brian sent three times as many messages as john. This implies Brena messages as

`3x`

Recall that all together, the trio sends a total of 110 messages. We can then combine the previous statements below.

`\begin{gathered} \text{Lena + John +Brian =110} \\ x+x-5+3x=110 \\ 5x=110+5 \\ 5x=115 \\ x=(115)/(5) \\ x=23 \end{gathered}`

Therefore,

`\begin{gathered} \text{John messages = 23} \\ \text{Lena messages =x-5= }23-5\text{ =18} \\ \text{Brian messages =}3x=3*23=69 \end{gathered}`

Answer:

Lena sent 18 messages

John sent 23 messages

Brian sent 69 messages