Question

Abel, Ben, Cathy and Danny had some stamps. Abel had 296 stamps and Ben had 60 stamps less than Cathy. Ben had 35% of the total number of stamps and Danny had 1/5 of the number of stamps Cathy had. How many stamps did Ben have?

Answer 1

Cathy had --- x
Ben had --- x-60
Abel had ---- 296
Danny had --- x/5

total number = 11x/5 + 236

x-60 = .35(11x/5+236)
times 100
100x - 6000 = 77x + 8260
..
x = 620

So Ben had 620-60 or Ben had 560 stamps

check:
Cathy had 620
Ben had 560
Abel had 296
Danny had 124
total = 1600
What is 35% of that? 560 , which is what Ben had

my answer is correct

Why so many stamps ?????

Answer 2

A = 296
B = C-60 = 0.35 T
D = 0.2 C
and A + B + C + D = T
so then B + C + D = T- 296
B + (B + 60) + 0.2 ( B + 60) = B / 0.35
2.2 B + 72 = 2.86 B
0.657 B = 72
B = 110
check my arithmetic !