Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
1) determine what we know. We know that...
a) 156 total messages were sent
b) Jim sent 6 less that carmen
c) reuben sent 4 times as many as jim
2) create an equation with the information we know
(J= amount of messages jim sent, R= amount of messages reuben sent and C= amount of messages carmen sent)
(jim) (reuben) (carmen) (total)
C - 6 + J(4) + C = 156
Now, isolate "C" on one side of the "="
3) add 6 to both sides of the equation:
C - 6 + J(4) + C =156
-6 -6
C + J(4) + C = 150
4) Combine like terms. In this case, combine the two Cs into Cx2:
C(2) +J(4) = 150
5) subtract "J(4)" from both sides of the "="
C(2) + J(4) = 150
-J(4) -J(4)
C(2) = 150 - J(4)
6) to isolate just 1 C, divide everything by 2
{C(2) = 150 - J(4)} ÷ 2
C = 75 - J(2)
7) Go back to our original equation (in bold) and replace "C" with "75 - J(2)"
(75-J(2)-6) + J(4) + (75-J(2)) = 156
Now solve for J.
Thats as far as I got.
