SOLUTION: Julia bought 3 more pencils than Jane,and Janet bought one third. As many as Jane.If each pencil cost $0.50,and they spent $15.50.Find the number of pencils Jane bought.

Algebra ->  Expressions-with-variables -> SOLUTION: Julia bought 3 more pencils than Jane,and Janet bought one third. As many as Jane.If each pencil cost $0.50,and they spent $15.50.Find the number of pencils Jane bought.       Log On


   

Question 974069: Julia bought 3 more pencils than Jane,and Janet bought one third. As many as Jane.If each pencil cost $0.50,and they spent $15.50.Find the number of pencils Jane bought.
Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
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Julia bought 3 more pencils than Jane,and Janet bought one third as many as Jane.If each pencil cost $0.50,and they spent $15.50.Find the number of pencils Jane bought.
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Quantity Eq:: u = a+3
Quantity Eq:: n = (1/3)a
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Value Eq:: 0.50(u + a + n) = 15.50
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Modify the value equation:
u + a + n = 31
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Substitute for u and n and solve for "a":
a+3 + a + (1/3)a = 31
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(7/3)a = 28
(1/3)a = 4
a = 12 (# Jane sold)
u = a+3 = 15 (# Julia sold)
n = (1/3)a = 4 (# Nancy sold)
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Cheers,
Stan H.
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