Question

Fred saved two thirds as much money as John. John saved 5 times as much as Mary. Together they saved $14. How much did each save? please helpp..

Answer 1

please help cause im not suree :/

Answer 2

Can you formulate an equation?

Answer 3

no i need help on that. :/

Answer 4

Okay let's work this out!

So, let the amount saved by Mary be '\(x\)' dollars.
So, since John saved 5 times as much as Mary did, he saved times '5 times x' = '\(5x\)' dollars.
And. Fred saved two-thirds of what John saved, so 'two-thirds of 5x' = \(\frac 2 3 \times 5x\) = \(\frac{10x} 3\)

Now as the questions states, the total amount saved was 14 dollars.

So, \(\large x + 5x + \frac{10x}3 = 14\)


Can you solve this and find 'x'?

Answer 5

so what is Fred's number?

Answer 6

is it just 10x/3?

Answer 7

You know Fred's savings is 10x/3. So to find out what it exactly is, you must know the value of 'x', right?

Answer 8

yeah now i noticed

Answer 9

i just don't know if i should change the fraction into a decimal

Answer 10

And you have simple equation formulated above, using which you can find out 'x'. The equation:
x+5x+(10x/3)=14

You need to add the terms in 'x', and then solve it.

No just let it remain as a fraction, that would help you in the calculations.

Take the LCM and ad them up - can you do that?

Answer 11

um i don't know :(

Answer 12

i don't know what to do when there is a fration

Answer 13

Well, if you know how to add it in decimal system, then use that method itself - no penalties. :]

Answer 14

10x/3 = 3.33 x ---> do you seem to be getting this?

Answer 15

yeah to me decimals make it easier than a fraction

Answer 16

but i still can't get the answer :/

Answer 17

No worries...
so, you do understand that 10x/3 = 3.33x right?

Answer 18

yes i do

Answer 19

do you combine x and 5x?

Answer 20

Okay, so we have -

x + 5x + 3.33x = 14

So, what's (x + 5x + 3.33x) ??

Answer 21

Yeah exactly! I *combine* the like terms - that is x and 5x and 3.33x!

Answer 22

wait then do you subtract?

Answer 23

cause when i do that i don't want to get a decimal as an answer

Answer 24

it feels like it doesn't make sense

Answer 25

Nope, why would I subtract!! And no you have no choice, you would get a decimal as an answer. :| But don;t worry it isn't half as difficult as it looks ;]

x + 5x + 3.33x

taking 'x' common,

=x(1 + 5 + 3.33)


Can you add 1,5, and 3.33??

Answer 26

its 4.83

Answer 27

helloo?

Answer 28

Nope.

1 + 5 + 3.33 ---> use a calculator.

Answer 29

i know its 9.33

Answer 30

and the you diivide it by 14

Answer 31

i get it and is the answer 0.6?

Answer 32

and then you substitute the others

Answer 33

Exactly! Now you get it!!! Wonderful!

Answer 34

ok thank you! finally! :D

Answer 35

Just that 9.33/14 = 0.67 more exactly.

Answer 36

You're welcome! :]

Answer 37

thank you so much!