Algebra Puzzle – Challenge 34
This challenge is a work-rate problem: eight workers build a house in twenty days, and you are asked how many workers finish it in four. Because workers and days vary inversely, the total worker-days stays fixed at 160. A full worked solution follows the question.
Challenge:
$464 is divided among Janet, Elliot, and Sarah. Janet received (frac{2}{3}) of Elliot’s money and Sara received (frac{2}{5}) of Janet’s money. How much money did Janet get?
A- 64
B- 100
C- 160
D- 240
E- 280
The Absolute Best Book to Challenge Your Smart Student!
The correct answer is C.
Let J be Janet’s money, E be Elliot’s money, and S be Sarah’s money. Therefore,
(J + E + S = 464)
(J = frac{2}{3} E → E = frac{3}{2} J) and (S = frac{2}{5} J)
Replace the value of E and S in the first equation with their values in the second and third equations:
(J + frac{3}{2} J + frac{2}{5} J = 464 → 1 frac{19}{10} J = 464 → J = 160)
Janet received $160!
The Absolute Best Books to Ace Algebra
Related to This Article
More math articles
- Best Calculators for College Students
- The Best Grade 8 Math Book for Illinois Students
- Budgetary controls
- 8th Grade NYSE Math FREE Sample Practice Questions
- Free Common Core (CCSS) Grade 5 Math Worksheets: 49 Printable Skill Pages with Step-by-Step Answer Keys
- Genetic Variation, Common Ancestry, and Cladograms
- Intensity and salience
- 3rd Grade MAP Math Worksheets: FREE & Printable
- Estimating Products for 4th Grade
- Single-Skill Grade 5 Math for New Jersey (NJSLA): 49 Free Practice PDFs, No Signup












What people say about "Algebra Puzzle: Challenge 34"?
No one replied yet.