Question

Mary, Jim, and Austin have a total of $85 in their wallets. Mary has $5 more than Austin. Jim has 3 times what Austin has. How much does each of them have?

Answer 1

austin has 16 dollars, mary has 21 dollars, and jim has 48 dollars

Answer 2

x= Austin's $
x+5= Mary's $
3x= Jim's $

Add together amounts above and set equal to the total of $85.

x + (x+5) + 3x= 85
combine like terms
5x + 5= 85
subtract 5 from both sides
5x= 80
divide both sides by 5
x= $16 Austin's $

substitute x=16 to find Mary's and Jim's $.

Mary
x+5= 16+5= $21

Jim
3x= 3(16)= $48

CHECK:
$16 + $21 + $48= $85
$85= $85

ANSWER:
Austin= x= 16
Mary= x+5= $21
Jim= 3x= $48

Hope this helps! :)