Need some help please :(

[cstpeter]

I need help trying to figure out how to get the answer. I don't want the answer just some steps that will help me get the answer, maybe an equation or something? Here's the question:
Meghan has 100 dollars more than Andrew has. After Meghan spends 20 dollars on groceries, she will have five times as much money as Andrew. How much money does Andrew have?

Please if someone can help me it will greatly be appreciated! Thank you so much!

 

[srmichael]

I need help trying to figure out how to get the answer. I don't want the answer just some steps that will help me get the answer, maybe an equation or something? Here's the question:
Meghan has 100 dollars more than Andrew has. After Meghan spends 20 dollars on groceries, she will have five times as much money as Andrew. How much money does Andrew have?

Please if someone can help me it will greatly be appreciated! Thank you so much!

With these kind of problems, always define your variables first. It helps make things a lot clearer.

Let M = dollars Meghan has
Let A = dollars Andrew has

Then, convert the words into a mathematical formula:

"Meghan has 100 dollars more than Andrew has" can be written as: M = A + 100

"After Meghan spends 20 dollars on groceries, she will have five times as much money as Andrew" can be written as: M - 20 = 5A

So now you have two equations with two variables....solvable.

Can you take it from here?

 

[cstpeter]

YES! Thank you so so so so much!!!

 

[mathwannabe]

YES! Thank you so so so so much!!!

You can set it up with only one variable:

Andrew: x

Meghan: 100 dollars more than Andrew: x+100

After Meghan spends 20 dollars on stuff, she will have five times more than Andrew:

x+100-20=5x

x+80=5x

Bah, latex is busted...