At first, Mark, Cole and Jenson had the same amount of money. After Jenson spent some of his money, Mark spent ³₈ of his money and Cole spent ²₃ of his money, Mark had $140 more than Cole. In the end, the total amount of money the three boys had left was $579. How much money did Jenson spend?

	Mark	Cole	Jenson	Total
Before	8x3 =  24 u	3x8 = 24 u	24 u
Change	- 3x3 = - 9 u	- 2x8 = - 16 u	- ?
After	5x3 = 15 u	1x8 = 8 u		$579

The amount that Mark and Cole each had at first is the same.  Make the amount that they each had the same.  LCM of 8 and 3 is 24.

Amount that Mark had more than Cole in the end
= 15 u - 8 u
= 7 u

7 u = 140

1 u = 140 ÷ 7 = 20

Amount that Mark and Cole had in the end
= 15 u + 8 u
= 23 u
= 23 x 20
= $460

Amount that Jenson had in the end
= 579 - 460
= $119

Amount that Jenson had at first
= 24 u
= 24 x 20
= $480

Amount that Jenson spent
= 480 - 119
= $361

Answer(s): $361