Question 1190045
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Bob and John want to buy a gift. If Bob buys it he will $20 short. 
If John buys it he will $34 short. If both buy they will $4 short.
What is the cost of gift.
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<pre>
Let x be the price of the gift, in dollars.


Since Bob is 20 dollars short, he has  x-20 dollars;  

similarly, John has x-34 dollars.


Altogether, they have  (x-20) + (x-34) = 2x-54.


It is exactly x-4 dollars (since altogether they are 4 dollars short)

    2x- 54 = x - 4.


From this equation,

    x = 54 - 4 = 50.



<U>ANSWER</U>.  The gift costs 50 dollars.
</pre>

Solved.


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It is an entertainment problem - - - THEREFORE, a solution should be in semi-joking form . . .