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Debra, Jose, and Manuel sent a total of 111 text messages over their cell phones
during the weekend. Debra sent 9 more messages than Jose.
Manuel sent 3 times as many messages as Debra. How many messages did they each send?
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Jose sent x messages;
Debra sent (x+9) messages;
Manuel sent 3(x+9) messages.
Write an equation for the total messages
x + (x+9) + 3(x+9) = 111.
Simplify and find x
x + x + 9 + 3x + 27 = 111
x + x + 3x = 111 - 9 - 27
5x = 75
x = 75/5 = 15.
ANSWER. J sent 15 messages; D sent 15+9 = 24 messages; M sent 3*24 = 72 messages.
CHECK. 15 + 24 + 72 = 111 total messages, which is precisely correct.
Solved, with checking and explanations.