Question 84686
This is a problem of 3 equations and 3 unknowns. Any time you have at least as many equations as you have unknowns, you can solve the problem! The key is to develop the 3 equations.
===========================================
First, define some variables for yourself:
Let W = Wife
Let C = Child
Let G = Grandchild
===========================================
From the given information in the problem, you can write (in terms of money) the following equations for the relationships of who is getting what:
Each child gets 3 times what each grand child got, so you can write:
Equation #1: C=3G
The wife gets 4 times each child, so you can write:
Equation #2: W=4C
The total amount of the inheritance is expressed as:
Equation #3: W+3C+2G=115000
============================================
So now you have your 3 equations and 3 unknowns. Use substitution to find the unknowns:
{{{4C+3C+2G=115000}}}
{{{4C+3C+(2C/3)=115000}}}
{{{(21C)/3+(2C/3)=115000}}}
{{{C=15000}}} - Each child gets $15000
------------------------------
{{{G=C/3}}}
{{{G=15000/3}}}
{{{G=5000}}} - Each grandchild gets $5000
------------------------------
{{{W=4C}}}
{{{W=4*15000}}}
{{{W=60000}}} - The wife gets $60000
------------------------------
Good Luck,
tutor_paul@yahoo.com