Question

Abe, Belle, and Cathy have a total of $179.50. Abe has $9 more than Belle. Cathy has three times as much as Abe. How much money does Belle have?

Answer 1

$28.70

Explanation:

Let b represent the amount Belle has. Then the amount Abe has is b+9, and the amount Cathy has is 3(b+9). The total of their amounts is ...

(b+9) +b +3(b+9) = 179.50

5b +36 = 179.50

5b = 143.50

b = 28.70

Belle has $28.70.