Juan, Steve, and Gabriella bought a total of 30 markers at an art store. Juan bought 3 more markers than Steve. Gabriella bought 7 times as many markers as Steve. How many markers did each buy.

S = Steve

J = Juan = 3S
G = Gabriella = 7S

S + 3 + S + 7S = 30
9S = 30 - 3
9s = 27
S = 3

We thank you Ms. Sue for your response. Unfortunately, this appears to be an equation that my daughter, 4th grade level, (nor I for that matter) are able to decifer to even understand how to answer the problem. Is it possible for you to verbally explain how Kriten would solve this problem? ~mom

Correction: Juan = 3 + S

That means that Juan had 3 more markers than Steve

Gabriella had 7 times the number of markers as Steve. Gabriella = 7S

S + J + G = 30

Substituting the numbers for the names:

S + S + 3 + 7S = 30
Combine like terms.

9S + 3 = 30

Subtract 3 from each side of the equation.

9s = 27

Divide both sides by 9

S = 3

To solve this problem, we'll use a system of equations.

Let's assign variables to represent the number of markers each person bought:
- Let's say Juan bought x markers.
- Since Juan bought 3 more markers than Steve, we can say Steve bought (x - 3) markers.
- Gabriella bought 7 times as many markers as Steve, so we can say Gabriella bought 7 * (x - 3) markers.

According to the given information, the total number of markers they bought is 30. So we can write the equation:

x + (x - 3) + 7 * (x - 3) = 30

Now let's solve the equation:
x + x - 3 + 7x - 21 = 30
9x - 24 = 30
9x = 30 + 24
9x = 54
x = 54 / 9
x = 6

So, Juan bought 6 markers.
Steve bought (x - 3) = 6 - 3 = 3 markers.
Gabriella bought 7 * (x - 3) = 7 * (6 - 3) = 7 * 3 = 21 markers.

Therefore, Juan bought 6 markers, Steve bought 3 markers, and Gabriella bought 21 markers.