SOLUTION: 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 D

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Linear Equations and Systems Word Problems -> SOLUTION: 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 D      Log On


   



Question 1203045: 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?

Answer by ikleyn(52884) About Me  (Show Source):
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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?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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.