July 2009
Problem of the Month

Estate Problem

A man divided his estate among his three children in the following manner:

The oldest child received $3,600.

The second child received 20% more than the oldest child and 25% more than the youngest.

How much money was bequeathed to the youngest?

Solution to the Problem:

The third child would get $3,456.

The second child gets 20% more than the oldest child (who got $3,600).

So, the second child got $3,600 plus 20% of $3,600, for a total of $4,320.

Since the second child gets 25% more than the youngest child,

4320 = 1.25 x, where x is the amount that the youngest gets.

Solving the equation, x = 3456.

Correctly solved by:

1. John C. Funk	Ventura, California
2. David & Judy Dixon	Bennettsville, South Carolina
3. Les Walker	Ventura, California

Send any comments or questions to: David Pleacher