if john spent $130 and matt spent $480, john will have three times as much money left as matt. how much money did each boy start with ?
using guess and check i got:
John; 1000
Matt:770
1000-130=870
870/3=290
290+480=770
hope this helped
Not even close to correct
To solve this problem, we can set up equations based on the given information and use algebra to find the solution. Let's assume that the initial amounts of money John and Matt had are represented by "x" and "y" respectively.
John spent $130, so the amount of money he has left is x - 130.
Matt spent $480, so the amount of money he has left is y - 480.
According to the given information, John will have three times as much money left as Matt, which can be written as:
x - 130 = 3(y - 480)
Now, we can solve this equation to find the values of x and y.
First, distribute the 3 on the right side of the equation:
x - 130 = 3y - 1440
Next, bring all the variables to one side:
x - 3y = -1310
To isolate one variable, let's solve for x in terms of y:
x = 3y - 1310
We also know that the total amount of money John and Matt started with is equal to the amounts they have left after spending:
x + 130 + y + 480 = x + y
Simplifying this equation, we get:
x + y = 610
Now, substitute x from the first equation into the second equation:
(3y - 1310) + y = 610
Combine like terms:
4y - 1310 = 610
Add 1310 to both sides:
4y = 1920
Divide by 4:
y = 480
Now, substitute the value of y back into the equation x = 3y - 1310:
x = 3(480) - 1310
x = 1440 - 1310
x = 130
Therefore, John initially had $130 and Matt initially had $480.