SOLUTION: Mona Yahuso earns three times as much as an actuary as she does as a writer {{{3W = A}}}. Her total income is $40,000 more than that of her brother {{{W+A = B + 30,000}}}. He ear

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Linear Equations and Systems Word Problems -> SOLUTION: Mona Yahuso earns three times as much as an actuary as she does as a writer {{{3W = A}}}. Her total income is $40,000 more than that of her brother {{{W+A = B + 30,000}}}. He ear      Log On


   

Question 12296: Mona Yahuso earns three times as much as an actuary as she does as a writer 3W+=+A. Her total income is $40,000 more than that of her brother W%2BA+=+B+%2B+30%2C000. He earns half as much as Mona does as an actuary B+=+%281%2F2%29A. What is Mona's salary as an actuary?
Answer by akmb1215(68) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
First of all, you need to put all of the information from the question into equations (I have added these to your question).
You know that 3W+=+A, so change the W in the second equation to %281%2F3%29A. Also, since you know from the third equation that B+=+%281%2F2%29A, you can plug (1/2)A in for B. Now you have %281%2F3%29A+%2B+A+=+%281%2F2%29A+%2B+30%2C000.
To solve this equation, combine like terms to simplify. Now you have %284%2F3%29A+=+%281%2F2%29A+%2B+30%2C000. Move (1/2)A to the other side of the equation by subtracting: %285%2F6%29A+=+30%2C000. Solve the equation by dividing: A+=+36%2C000.