SOLUTION: I'm not sure if this problem can be solved. It appeared on an aptitude test that was part of a job application. Jack makes twice as much as Mary. Jill makes 8 more than Mary. W

Question 176296: I'm not sure if this problem can be solved. It appeared on an aptitude test that was part of a job application.
Jack makes twice as much as Mary. Jill makes 8 more than Mary. Who makes more?
I have come to the conclusion that this problem cannot be solved without more information. This is the answer I gave on the test, but it keeps bugging me. I have tried to solve for each of the variables but never get to an actual number.
Help?
Answer by EMStelley(208) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You're right, you need to know at least one more piece of information. All you can do now is say that Mary makes m. Then Jack makes 2m and Jill makes m+8. But without a given constant, you're stuck. You can however, give conditions:
When do they make the same?
2m=m+8
So m=8. If Mary makes $8, Jack and Jill make the same amount. If Mary makes less than $8, say $7 for an example, Jack makes $14 and Jill makes $15, so Jill will be the winner if Mary makes less than $8. If Mary makes more than $8, say $9 for an example, Jack makes $18 and Jill makes $17. So if Mary makes more than $8, Jack is the winner.
Unfortunately, the creator of the aptitude test did not consult a mathematician :)
RELATED QUESTIONS
James can paint a room in 4 hours, while Mike can paint the same room in 5 hours. Working (answered by josgarithmetic)

Ok so i have this problem which using methods my dad suggested can not be solved, there... (answered by Fombitz)

This is a self written problem because I wanted to explore things myself, so here it is: (answered by fractalier)

it was found that 25% of all applicants for a position scored less than 160 points on an... (answered by stanbon)

I have posted about this problem once and it was said to not be able to be solved but it... (answered by TimothyLamb)

I hope this is the right category. I wasn't sure where to put it. The beginning intro to... (answered by scott8148)

Please help me solve this, this is my problem my home work is asking me to. With out... (answered by stanbon)

Im not sure if this is the right section, but if anyone can help me with the following... (answered by richard1234)

MNM Corporation gives each of its employees an aptitude test. The scores on the test are... (answered by ewatrrr)