Question

You are the administrator of an annual essay contest scholarship fund. This year a $60,000 college scholarship is being divided between the top two contestants so that the winner receives three times as much as the runner-up. How much will each contestant receive (in dollars)?runner-up amount$ winner amount$

Answer 1

Let x represent the amount received by the runner up.

Given that the winner receives three times as much as the runner-up, it means that

amount received by winner = 3 * x = 3x

Given that total amount = 60000, then

3x + x = 60000

4x = 60000

x = 60000/4

x = 15000

Runner up receives $15000

Winner receives 3(15000) = $45000