need help with this word problem please

Question

eric has twice as much money as Marcia, who has $1.75 less than Laurel. But Laurel has as much money as Eric and Marcia have together. How much money does each person have?

Answer 1

e = Eric's money

m = Marcia's money

L = Laurel's money

 

e = 2m           Eric has twice as much money as Marcia

 

m = L -1.75    Marcia  has $1.75 less than Laurel

 

L = e+m         Laurel has as much money as Eric and

                      Marcia have together.

 

e = 2(L-1.75)   From e=2m

 

L = 2(L-1.75) + L-1.75    From L = e+m

 

L = 2L-3.5+L-1.75   combine like terms

L = 3L - 5.25           subtract 3L from both sides

-2L = -5.25             divide both sides by -2

L = -5.25/(-2)

L = $2.625

 

Laurel has $2.63

Marcia has 2.63-1.75 = $0.88

Eric has 2(.88) = $1.76