Answering in a 'Let' statement, and setting out an algebraic equation and solving. Thank you :)

Question

Four brothers, Ben, Dave, Mick and Joe, invested in a set of flats that cost $445,000. Dave invested $40,000 more than Ben, Mick invested three times as much as Ben and Joe invested half as much as Dave. How much did each of the brothers invest?

Answer in a 'let' statement, create an algebraic equation and solve

Answer 1

Hi Debbie

 

Let the amount Ben invested = x

 

Let the amount Dave invested = x + 40000.         ( 40000 more than Ben 

 

Let the amount Mick invested = 3x.                       (3 times that of Ben 

 

Let the amount Joe invested = .5(x+40000).        (Half of dave

 

 

Let 445000 = x + x + 40000 + 3x + .5(x + 40000).  This is the sum of the amount invested by each brother 

 

445000 = 5.5x + 60000

 

385000 = 5.5x

 

70000 = x

 

Ben = 70000

 

Dave = 110000

 

Mick = 210000

 

Joe = 55000

 

Now check it

 

70000 + 110000 + 210000 + 55000 = 445000.  

 

Hope this helps

 

Tom