Thread: Frustrating Word Problem!

Howard has three times as much money as Ronald. If Howard gives Ronald $50, Ronald will then have three times as much money as Howard. How many money do the two of them have together?

My work...

H = 3R

(Since Howard has 3 times as much money as Ronald).

Then, since H gives away 50, he must have H - 50 and Ronald who has 3R must have 3R + 50 (since he was just given 50). But, this 3R + 50 (Ronald's money) is 3 times the money Howard has which was H - 50. So...

3(H-50) = 3R + 50

Where am I going wrong?!!?! Frustrating!

I know the answer is R = $25 and H = $75 which makes sense but my equation does not come with Ronald having $25...

Originally Posted by fifthrapiers

howard has three times as much money as ronald. If howard gives ronald $50, ronald will then have three times as much money as howard. How many money do the two of them have together?

My work...

H = 3r

(since howard has 3 times as much money as ronald).

Then, since h gives away 50, he must have h - 50 and ronald who has 3r must have 3r + 50 (since he was just given 50). But, this 3r + 50 (ronald's money) is 3 times the money howard has which was h - 50. So...

3(h-50) = 3r + 50

where am i going wrong?!!?! Frustrating!

I know the answer is r = $25 and h = $75 which makes sense but my equation does not come with ronald having $25...

h = 3r

3(h-50) = r+50

3h-150 = r+50

3(3r)-150 = r+50

9r-150 = r+50

8r = 200

r = 25

h = 75

The first equation seems correct:

Skeeter got the second one.