Miss Lee had $12.50 more than Miss Mak. % After Miss Lee spent $18, Miss Mak had 3 times as much money as Miss Lee had left. How much money did Miss Lee have at first?
Answer (1)
Step 1: Define variablesLet:L = money Miss Lee had at firstM = money Miss Mak had at firstWe are told:Miss Lee had $12.50 more than Miss Mak:L = M + 12.50After Miss Lee spent $18, Miss Mak had 3 times as much as Miss Lee left:M = 3 × (L − 18)Step 2: Substitute L in the second equationSince L = M + 12.50, then L − 18 = (M + 12.50) − 18 = M − 5.50So the second equation becomes:M = 3 × (M − 5.50)Step 3: Solve for MM = 3M − 16.50Subtract 3M from both sides:−2M = −16.50Divide both sides by −2:M = 8.25Step 4: Find LL = M + 12.50 = 8.25 + 12.50 = 20.75Answer:Miss Lee had $20.75 at first.
