May bought some tulips. The number of white tulips is 1/3 the number of pink tulips. The number of yellow tulips is 40% of the total number of tulips There were 50 yellow tulips more than white ones. How many tulips did May buy?

Let w = white tulips

y = yellow tulips
p = pink tulips
System of equations:
w = 1/3p -> p = 3w
y = 0.40 (w + y + p)
y = w + 50
* Use substitution method.
y = 0.40 (w + y + p)
w + 50 = 0.40 [w + (w + 50) + 3w]
w + 50 = 0.40 (5w + 50)
w = 2w + 20 - 50
w - 2w = -30
-w/-1 = -30/-1
w = 30
@ p = 3w
p = 3 (30)
p = 90
@ y = w + 50
y = 30 + 50
y = 80
Total tulips = w + y + p = 30 + 80 + 90
Total tulips = 200
Checking:
y = 0.40 (w + y + p)
80 = 0.40 (200)
80 = 80
Answer:
Total tulips = 200