The amount Jenny earned babysitting on the weekend is $1 less than one half of the amount that Peter earned. Together they earned $14. Find the amount each student earned.

Answer 1

j = p/2 - 1

p + j = 14

Suuuuubstitute!

p + p/2 - 1 = 14

3p/2 = 15

3p = 30

p = $10

10 + j = 14

j = $4

Answer 2

Hi Zane,

Let's use the variable, p , to represent the amount of money that Peter earned.

Then we can write the following expression to represent the amount that Jenny earned: 1/2 p - 1

Since the sum of the two is $14, we can write and solve the following equation to find the amount that Peter earned: p + 1/2p -1 =14

Now combine like terms and use inverses to solve:

3/2p -1 = 14

3/2p - 1 + 1 = 14 + 1

3/2p = 15

2/3 • 3/2p = 15 • 2/3

p = $10

Peter earned $10.

Jenny earned 1/2 p - 1 = 1/2 • 10 -1 = 5-1 = $4

Jenny earned $4