Question 1109146
You can use just 2 variables. Using more can make the problem a lot more complex, in my opinion.


Let amount invested at 5% and 6.5% be F and S, respectively
Then amount invested at 6% = 20,000 – F – S
We then get: .05F + .065S + .06(20,000 – F – S) = 1,170
.05F + .065S + 1,200  - .06F - .06S = 1,170
- .01F + .005S = - 30 ------- eq 1


Also, 3(20,000 – F – S) = F + S
60,000 – 3F - 3S = F + S 
F + 3F + S + 3S = 60,000
4F + 4S = 60,000___4(F + S) = 4(15,000)____F + S = 15,000___S = 15,000 - F ---- eq 2


- .01F + .005(15,000 - F) = - 30 ------- Substituting 15,000 – F for S in eq 1
- .01F + 75 – .005F = - 30 
- .01F - .005F = - 30 - 75
- .015F = - 105
F, or amount invested at 5% = - 105/- .015 = $7,000 


S = 15,000 – 7,000 ------- Substituting 7,000 for F in eq 2
S, or amount invested at 6.5% = $8,000


Amount invested at 6%: 20,000 – 7,000 – 8,000 = $5,000