Problema Solution

Dave, Kate and Sara committed themselves to volunteer 100 hours for habitat for humanity to build new homes. Sara worked 15 hours more than Dave. Kate worked 5 hours fewer than Dave. How many hours did each of these siblings volunteer?

Answer provided by our tutors

Let the volunteering hours of each sibling be


'x' the hours that Dave volunteered

'y' the hours that Kate volunteered

'z' the hours that Sara volunteered


z = x + 15 (Sara worked 15 hours more than Dave)

y = x - 5 (Kate worked 5 hours fewer than Dave)

x + y + z = 100 (Dave, Kate and Sara committed themselves to volunteer 100 hours)


The solutions of the following system of 3 equation are the hours that each sibling volunteered:


z = x + 15

y = x - 5

x + y + z = 100


that is


x + x - 5 + x + 15 = 100

3x = 90


x = 30


y = x - 5 = 30 - 5 = 25


z = x + 15 = 30 + 14 = 45


Dave volunteered 30 hours, Kate volunteered 25 hours and Sara volunteered 45 hours.