Please solve

Question

Juan spent $2 more on books than Sylvia did. If they each spent $4 less, Sylvia would have spent 8 exactly of what Juan Spent. How much did each spent?

Answer 1

Let the amount Juan spent be represented by J. And the amount Sylvia spent be represented by S.

 

The first sentencd tells us that J = S+2 since Juan spent two more dollars than Sylvia.

 

If they each spent $4 less, you'd be looking at J-4 and S-4.

 

However, S < J so S-4 < J-4. The way you typed up the problem: "Sylvia would have spent exactly 8 of what Juan spent", doesn't make sense since she spent less. Perhaps you meant 1/8th?