Help! Where do I begin to solve this word problem?

This morning James had half as much money as his sister and 27 dollars less than his brother. Then his sister paid James and his brother each 12 dollars not to tell their parents what happened out in the garden last Wednesday. After the payoff, James's brother has twice as much money as James's sister. How much money does James have now?

Question

Help!  Where do I begin to solve this word problem?

This morning James had half as much money as his sister and 27 dollars less than his brother. Then his sister paid James and his brother each 12 dollars not to tell their parents what happened out in the garden last Wednesday. After the payoff, James's brother has twice as much money as James's sister. How much money does James have now?

texaschic101 · Answer

sorry...must be doing something wrong...am getting a negative number

anonymous · Answer

Refer to the attachment from Mathematica 9.

anonymous · Answer

The above attachment is from the Mathematica 9 program.

taz007 · Answer

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

anonymous · Answer

@robtobey I need help on an question

anonymous · Answer

@taz007 
Your welcome and thank you for the medal.