Question 107561
Eric has twice as much money as Marcia, who has $175 less than Laurel. But Laurel has as much money as Eric and Marcia have together. How much money does each person have?
:
Write an equation for each statement:
:
"Eric has twice as much money as Marcia,"
   E = 2M
:
 "who has $175 less than Laurel."
   M = L-175
Or we could write it:
   L = M + 175
:
"Laurel has as much money as Eric and Marcia have together."
   L = E + M
:
How much money does each person have?
:
In the last equation substitute 2M for E, (from the 1st equation)
   L = 2M + M
   L = 3M
:
We have: L = M + 175 from the 2nd equation:
Substitute 3M for L
3M = M + 175
3M - M + 175
2M = 175
M = 175/2
M = 87.50
Then:
E = 2M
E = 2(87.50)
E = $175
And
L = 3M
L = 3(87.50)
L = 262.50
:
Check it by the statement:
"Laurel has as much money as Eric and Marcia have together."
L = E + M
L = 175 + 87.50
L = 262.50
:
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