<PRE><B>Question 156382</B>
Billy has two-thirds as many marbles as Tommy. Jimmy has three-eighths as many marbles as Billy. Together Jimmy and Billy have eight fewer marbles than Tommy. How many marbles does each boy have? 
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EQUATIONS:
B = (2/3)T
J = (3/8)B
J+B = T-8
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Rearrange the equations:
3B + 0  -2T = 0
3B - 8J +0  = 0
B  + J  -T  =-8
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Solve the system of equations by any method to get:
B = 64
J = 24
T = 96
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Cheers,
Stan H.</PRE>