Question 99172
Write an expression for each statement.
:
Joe has a total of $200 in his two pockets. 
:
Let x = amt in left pocket originally
Then
(200-x) = amt in right pocket originally
:
 He takes one-fourth of the money in his left pocket and puts it in his right pocket.
Left: 
(x - .25x)
Simplify
.75x
:
Right
(200-x) + .25x
Simplify
200 -.75x
:
He then takes $20 from his left pocket and puts it in his right pocket.
Left:
.75x - 20
:
Right
200 - .75x + 20
Simplify
220 - .75x
:
 If he now has an equal amount of money in each pocket,
  left = right
.75x - 20 = 220 - .75x
.75x + .75x = 220 + 20
1.5x = 240
x = 240/1.5
x = $160 in his left pocket originally
:
That means he had 200 - 160 = $40 in his right pocket
:
Check for equality
Left 160 - 40 - 20 = 100
Right 40 + 40 + 20 = 100
:
Did this make sense to you?