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 ?
j-130 = 3(m-480)
j-130 = 3m-1440
j = 3m-1310
Now we are stuck. As long as Matt has at least 1310 plus a multiple of 3, then we can figure an amount for John.
Matt: 500
John: 190
John-130 = 60
Matt-480 = 20
Matt: 480
John: 130
John-130: 0
Matt-480: 0
More info needed if you want a specific amount.