Question 147188
First set a variable to the equation.  How about d? Just a random pick.  Set Prakash to d and Smith to 3d, since he has 3 times as much as Prakash.  You know that Smith gave Prakash 750, and now Prakash has double the amount that Smith has left.So set Prakash's new amount (d+750) equal to the double of Smith's new amount (3d-750) so set it up like this. {{{Prakash+750=2Smiths remainder}}}.  Once you plug your values in it will look like this {{{d+750=2(3d-750)}}}.  Distribute on the right side and get {{{d+750=6d-1500}}}.  Then add 1500 to both sides and get {{{d+2250=6d}}}.  Subtract d from each side and get {{{2250=5d}}}.  Then divide both sides by five.  You should get {{{d=450}}}.  After you've gotten d, you can just plug it back into Smith's and Prakash's original values, 3d and d.  Once that is done, Smith had 1350 and Prakash had 450. Wanna check?  Subtract subtract 750 from Smith's balance and add it to Prakash's balance.  You got 600 and 1200, right? It works!