At first, Justin, Charlie and Fred had the same amount of money. After Fred spent some of his money, Justin spent ²₇ of his money and Charlie spent ¹₂ of his money, Justin had $69 more than Charlie. In the end, the total amount of money the three boys had left was $431. How much money did Fred spend?

	Justin	Charlie	Fred	Total
Before	7x2 =  14 u	2x7 = 14 u	14 u
Change	- 2x2 = - 4 u	- 1x7 = - 7 u	- ?
After	5x2 = 10 u	1x7 = 7 u		$431

The amount that Justin and Charlie each had at first is the same.  Make the amount that they each had the same.  LCM of 7 and 2 is 14.

Amount that Justin had more than Charlie in the end
= 10 u - 7 u
= 3 u

3 u = 69

1 u = 69 ÷ 3 = 23

Amount that Justin and Charlie had in the end
= 10 u + 7 u
= 17 u
= 17 x 23
= $391

Amount that Fred had in the end
= 431 - 391
= $40

Amount that Fred had at first
= 14 u
= 14 x 23
= $322

Amount that Fred spent
= 322 - 40
= $282

Answer(s): $282