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| Question 31376:  I am taking a basic math class for my college degree.  However it has been 20+ years!  I have a word problem that I can't quite figure out how to put into a formula.
 Shannon earns $70 a week more than Diane.  Diane earns $40 more than Lori.  Lori earns $50 more than Sylvia.  The four of them earn a total of $1,500.  How much does each person earn?
 I had started with x = Sylvia.  Then Lori(L) = x+50, and Diane(D) = L+40, and Shannon(S) = D+70.  But I don't think this is right.
 Thank you for your assistance.
 Answer by askmemath(368)
      (Show Source): 
You can put this solution on YOUR website! x = Sylvia.  Then Lori(L) = x+50, and Diane(D) = L+40, and Shannon(S) = D+70. You are on the right Path
 Diane = L+40
 but we know that L = X+50
 So D = X+50+40 = X+90
 Similarly Shannon = X+90+70 = X+160
 So total earnings = X + X+50 + X+90 + X+160 = 4X +300
 But total we know is $1,500
 So 4X+300 = 1500
 Subtracting 300 on both sides
 4X = 1200
 X = 1200/4
 X = 300
 I hope you can find the rest of the earnings from here :-)
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