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Larry spent $480 of his salary on a suitcase and 1/4 of the remaining
amount on a watch. He then had 1/3 of his salary left. How much was his salary?
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Let x be his salary, in dollars.
Write an equation as you read the problem
    x - 480 -  =
 =  .
To solve, multiply both sides by 12.  You will get
    12x - 12*480 - 3*(x-480)  = 4x
    12x - 12*480 - 3x + 3*480 = 4x
    12x - 3x - 4x             = 12*480 - 3*480
          5x                  =     4320
           x                  =     4320/5 = 864.
ANSWER.  His salary is  $864.
.
To solve, multiply both sides by 12.  You will get
    12x - 12*480 - 3*(x-480)  = 4x
    12x - 12*480 - 3x + 3*480 = 4x
    12x - 3x - 4x             = 12*480 - 3*480
          5x                  =     4320
           x                  =     4320/5 = 864.
ANSWER.  His salary is  $864.
Solved.