x – 5 = amount Sue has, and

3(x-5) = Jay’s share

Add these three up:

x + x – 5 + 3(x-5) = 135, add the x + x

2x – 5 + 3x – 15 = 135, distribute the 3

5x – 20 = 135, add like terms (2x + 3x = 5x and -5+-15= -20)

5x = 155, divide by 5,

x = 31 This is Larry’s share,

x-5 = 26 this is Sue’s share, and

3(26) = 78 this is Jay’s share.

Larry has 31$, Sue has 26$, and Jay has 78$.

We will use ‘x’ as the amount of money that Larry has.

So, Larry = x

If Sue has $5 less than larry, then

Sue = x-5

If Jay has 3 times more money than Sue and Sue = x-5 then,

Jay = 3(x-5) = 3x -15

So, since together they have $135 we can add all their amounts together to get a working equation

Sue + Larry + Jay = $135

(x-5) + x + 3x – 15 = $135

Now we can combine like numbers and terms

x + x + 3x + -5 +- 15 = $135

5x -20 =135

Add 20 to both sides

5x = 155

Divide 5 on both sides

x = 31

Now plug x back into all the people’s equations above

Larry = x = $31

Sue = x-5 = $26

Jay = 3(x-5) = 3(26) = $78

Now add all their money together and check to see if its $135

31 + 26 + 78 = 135 /

V Check!

s=l-5

j+s+l=135

in the last one,

3(l-5)+(l-5)+l=135

3l-15+l-5+1=135

4l=135-1+5-15

l has 31 $

so,

s has 26$

and

j has 78$

Lets say this:

Jay x

Sue y

larry z

x+y+z=135

x= 3y

4y+z=135

y=z-5

4z-20=135

4z=155

z=38.25

y=33.25

then you add x+y= 71.50

135-71.50 is 83.50

There is your answer