SOLUTION: Jim has $17 more than Sam. They have $73 dollars together. How much do each of them have?

Question 544778: Jim has $17 more than Sam. They have $73 dollars together. How much do each of them have?

Answer by rapaljer(4671) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let x=Sam's money

Since Jim has 17 more than Sam, this means that
x+17 = Jim's money

The equation is that the SUM of their money is 73, so
Sam + Jim = 73
x + x+17 = 73

Now, solve the equation:
x+x+17=73
2x+17=73
2x +17-17= 73-17
2x=56
x=28

x= $28 = Sam's money
x+17 = 28+17= $45 = Jim's money

Check: 28+45= $73 total

For a NON-traditional explanation of Word Problems, please see my own website. Click on my tutor name anywhere in algebra.com. This takes you to the homepage of my website. Near the top of my homepage, look for "Basic, Intermediate, and College Algebra: One Step at a Time." Choose Basic Algebra, and look in Chapter 1 for the topic Introduction to Word Problems. I have a lengthy explanaation on this particular type of problem.

Since most of my career was spent teaching math IN COLOR, this became a major theme in my teaching career. In case you forget my name or can't remember how to spell it, an easy way to find my website is to go to the link www.mathinlivingcolor.com.

Dr. Robert J. Rapalje, Retired
Seminole State College of Florida
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