document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=242826>Question 242826</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Betty bought a car which was $1543.00 more than the other car that Joan bought. Paula bought a car that cost $977.00 less than Joans. The total price of all three cars was $62468.00 How much did each girl's car cost? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #177806 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=oberobic><B>oberobic(2304)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=oberobic><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=177806\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> In the setup it is important to use the fewest possible unknowns.  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "B is the price paid by Betty for her car.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "P is the price paid by Paula for her car.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "J is the price paid by Joan for her car.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "B + P + J = 62468.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "B = J + 1543  (Betty's car cost 1543 more than Joan's)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "P = J - 977  (Paula's car is 977 less than Joan's)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Substituting in the sum formula, we have:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(J+1543) + (J-977) + J = 62468<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Combining...<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3J + 566 = 62468<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Subtracting 566 from both sides...<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3J = 61,902<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Dividing both sides by 3...<BR>\n" );
document.write( "J = 20,634<BR>\n" );
document.write( "B = 20,634 + 1543 <BR>\n" );
document.write( "P = 20,634 - 977 </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );