
Sabrina Z. answered 04/04/16
Tutor
4.4
(11)
High School Math Teacher!
J=dollars James spent on books
M=Dollars Melanie spent on books
"James spent $2 more on books than Melanie"--> means you take Melanie's money, add two, and thats what james spent. So,
J=M+2
"If they each spent $4 less.." ---> means what each spent, minus 4 dollars so,
M-4 and J-4
"...Melanie would have spent 5/6 of what James spent"-----> so take five sixths of James (minus 4) and you get Melanie's (minus 4). So,
5/6(J-4)=M-4
Substituting for the first equation we made, (J=M+2), we get..
5/6((M+2)-4)=M-4
5/6(M-2)=M-4 (multiply both sides by 6)
5(M-2)=6M-24
5M-10=6M-24
14=M
AND J=M+2=14+2=16
So James spent 16 and Melanie spent 14. :)