Word Problem with three unknown numbers

Question

Jina, Aldo, and Rafael have a total of $113

in their wallets. Rafael has 4

times what Aldo has. Jina has $7

less than Aldo. How much does each have?

Answer 1

Let J, A and R correspond to Jina, Aldo, and Rafael respectively.

The amount of money J and R have can be derived from the amount of money A has and therefore A's money could be used as reference here.

Let A have $x.Using this assumption and given information the expressions for the money A, J and R have can be expressed as;

A: x

R: 4x

J: x-7

Given the fact that they have a total of $113, the following equation is obtained;

(x) + (4x) + (x-7) = 113

6x = 120

x = 20

From the value of x we can calculate the amount of money each of them had as follows;

A: x = $20

R: 4x = $80

J: x-7 = $13

Answer 2

Let x = the amount of money that Aldo has.

Rafael has 4 times what Aldo has, so he has 4x.

Jina has $7 less than Aldo, so she has x =7

Together they have $113:

x + 4x + x - 7 = 113

Solve for x (Aldo). Once you have x, Rafael has 4x and Jina has x-7.