If together they all made 9, how many did Mr. Patterson make?

Question

Mr. Williams, Mr. Patterson and Ms. Cowgill all made multiple brackets for March Madness. Me. Williams and Ms. Cowgill botth made the same number of brackets. Mr. Patterson made one less than 3 times the number Ms. Cowgill made. 

Answer 1

Let W = number Mr. Williams made  

Let C = number Ms. Cowgirl made

Let P = number Mr. Patterson made

 

W = C

P = 3*C - 1

 

W + P + C = 9

(C) + (3*C - 1) + C = 9

5*C = 10

C = 2

 

So W = 2 and P = 5