Question 1190156
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A quick reading shows the first friend gets more than the third and the third gets more than the second.  So, to avoid fractions, let c represent the smallest of the three amounts -- the amount the second friend gets.<br>
Let x = amount second friend gets
Then 4x = amount the third friend gets (four times the amount the second gets)
Then 3(4x)=12x = amount the first friend gets (three times the amount the third gets)<br>
The total is $17,000:<br>
{{{x+4x+12x=17000}}}<br>
Solve the equation using basic algebra; then answer the question<br>