Two boys have 3.36$ one boy has 12 cents less than three times the other

Question

How much does each boy have?

Answer 1

We know that if we combine the each boy's amount, we have a total of $3.36.   We need to find the amount each boy has.  So we assign variables for them and apply algebraic applications.

 

Let one boy = x

Let the other boy = 3x - 12

Combined amount = $3.36

 

 

Now, we write an equation to represent this situation.  Since the variable represents cents, we must the convert the combined amount from dollars to cents. 

 

Use the conversion factor:

 

1 dollar = 100 cents

 

 

$3.36 = 336 cents

 

 

x + 3x - 12 = 336

 

Solve for x.  When we solve for x, we will find out how much one of the boys has.

 

 

4x - 12 = 336

4x = 348

  x = 87

 

One boy has 87 cents.  In dollar form  $0.87

 

 

Substitute this value of x into the other boy's amount.

 

The other boy's amount = 3(87) - 12

                                   = 261 - 12

                                   = 249

 

The other boy has 249 cents. In dollar form  $2.49