Question 453610
Let {{{a}}} = amount Alex  and Jim start with
Let {{{d}}} = number of days they are spending money
given:
(1) {{{ a - 5d = 8 }}}
(2) {{{ a - 3d = 32 }}}
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subtract (1) from (2)
(2) {{{ a - 3d = 32 }}}
(1) {{{ -a + 5d = -8 }}}
{{{ 2d = 24 ]]]
{{{ d = 12 }}}
and
(1) {{{ a - 5*12 = 8 }}}
(1) {{{ a =  68 }}}
They started with $68
check:
(2) {{{ a - 3d = 32 }}}
(2) {{{ 68 - 3*12 = 32 }}}
(2) {{{ 68 - 36 = 32 }}}
(2) {{{ 68 = 68 }}} 
OK