JAMB 1985 · UME · Q9

John gives one third of his money to Janet, who has ₦105.00. He then finds that his money is reduced to one-fourth of what Janet now has. Find how much money John had at first.

Worked solution (try it first)
  1. Let John start with ₦JJ.
  2. After giving away 13J\frac13 J he has 23J\frac23 J, and Janet has 105+13J105 + \frac13 J.
  3. John now has one fourth of Janet's money: 23J=14(105+13J)\frac23 J = \frac14\left(105 + \frac13 J\right).
  4. Multiply both sides by 4: 83J=105+13J\frac83 J = 105 + \frac13 J, so 73J=105\frac73 J = 105.
  5. Multiply by 37\frac37: J=45J = 45.
  6. John had ₦45.00, option A.

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