Word problem

Question

Maria, John and Shen sent a total of 79 texts during the week. Maria spent 5 times fewer that Shen. John sent 2 times as many as shen. How many texts did each senD

Answer 1

We know the least about Shen. THAT is where you assign the variable!

 

 Shen: X

 

  John 2X

 

 Maria X/5 <--- 5 TIMES fewer

 

 

X/5 + X + 2X = 79

 

(16/5)X = 79 <--- 2 + 1 + 1/5 = 3 and 1/5 = 16/5

 

X = 79 * 5/16 = 24.6875

 

Shen sent 24.6875

 

John sent 49.375

 

Maria sent 4.9375

 

KEEP READING !!!!

-------------------------------------

 

Are you sure Maria did not sent 5 FEWER texts than Shen???

 

X + 2x + x - 5 = 79

 

4x - 5 = 79

 

4x = 84

 

x = 21

 

Shen sent  21.

John sent  42.

Maria sent 16

 

MUCH nicer result!!!

 

See how one little word makes all the difference ?!?!?!?!