Question

Beth and Pam both did some babysitting in the summer. Pam earned $4 less than 3 times as much as Beth. Together they earned $860. How much money did each person earn babysitting?

Answer 1

Answers:

Beth earned $216

Pam earned $644

======================================================

Work Shown:

B = amount Beth earned

P = amount Pam earned

amounts are in dollars

Pam earned $4 less than 3 times as much as Beth, so,

P = 3B-4

Together they earned $860, meaning

P+B = 860

Plug the first equation into the second. Solve for B

P+B = 860

3B-4+B = 860

4B-4 = 860

4B = 860+4

4B = 864

B = 864/4

B = 216

Use this to find P

P = 3B-4

P = 3*216-4

P = 648-4

P = 644

Beth earned $216 and Pam earned $644.

----------------------------------------

Check:

B+P = 860

216+644 = 860

860 = 860

First equation is true

P = 3B-4

644 = 3*216-4

644 = 644

Second equation is true

Both equations are true when (B,P) = (216,644) so the solutions have been confirmed.