At first, Paul, Asher and Ryan had the same amount of money. After Ryan spent some of his money, Paul spent ²₇ of his money and Asher spent ³₄ of his money, Paul had $221 more than Asher. In the end, the total amount of money the three boys had left was $519. How much money did Ryan spend?

	Paul	Asher	Ryan	Total
Before	7x4 =  28 u	4x7 = 28 u	28 u
Change	- 2x4 = - 8 u	- 3x7 = - 21 u	- ?
After	5x4 = 20 u	1x7 = 7 u		$519

The amount that Paul and Asher each had at first is the same.  Make the amount that they each had the same.  LCM of 7 and 4 is 28.

Amount that Paul had more than Asher in the end
= 20 u - 7 u
= 13 u

13 u = 221

1 u = 221 ÷ 13 = 17

Amount that Paul and Asher had in the end
= 20 u + 7 u
= 27 u
= 27 x 17
= $459

Amount that Ryan had in the end
= 519 - 459
= $60

Amount that Ryan had at first
= 28 u
= 28 x 17
= $476

Amount that Ryan spent
= 476 - 60
= $416

Answer(s): $416