Kristy has $6.38 more than Lindsey. Kelly has $5.17 less than Lindsey. If Kristy and Kelly have $35.97 between them, how much does each girl have?

Question

write and solve equations that require simplifying.

Answer 1

We're going to have to make label our variables. two names starting with a K and one with an L are not friendly, so I'm going to use r, n, and e for Kristy, Lindsey, and Kelly respectively.

Here's what we know:

r = n + 6.38 (Kris has $6.38 more than Lin)

e = n - 5.17 (Kell has $5.17 less than Lin)

r + e = 35.97 (Kris and Kell together have $35.97)

 

Since we have values for r and e, let's plug them in:

(n + 6.38) + (n - 5.17) = 35.97

Simplify:

2n + 1.21 = 35.97

Subtract the constant:

2n = 34.76

Divide both sides by 2:

n = 17.38

 

Now that we know Lin's money, we can find the others:

r = 17.38 + 6.38 = 23.76

 

e = 17.38 - 5.17 = 12.21

 

Now to check:

23.76 + 12.21 = 35.97

35.97 = 35.97