Sarah, Wendy, Rachel and Marion went to buy a souvenir for their father. They shared the cost equally among themselves. However, Marion forgot to bring her money. So, the other 3 girls paid for the souvenir first. Rachel paid ⁷₉ of the amount Sarah and Wendy paid. Wendy paid $2 more than Sarah. The next day, Marion returned $24 to Rachel and some money to Sarah and Wendy. How much did Marion return to

1. Sarah?
2. Wendy?

	Sarah	Wendy	Rachel	Marion	Total
Comparing the amounts 3 girls paid first	9 u		7 u		16 u
Comparing the amounts 2 girls paid first	1 p	1 p + 2
Amounts that each girl paid for Marion first	- ?	- ?	- 24	+ 24 + ?
Comparing the amounts each girl should pay	1x4 = 4 u	1x4 = 4 u	1x4 = 4 u	1x4 = 4 u	4x4 = 16 u

(a)
The total amount that the 4 girls paid is repeated. Make the total amount the same.  LCM of 4 and 16 is 16.

Extra amount that Rachel paid 
= 7 u - 4 u
= 3 u

3 u = 24

1 u = 24 ÷ 3 = 8

Total amount that Sarah and Wendy paid at first
= 9 u
= 9 x 8
= $72

1 p + 1 p + 2 = 72
2 p = 72 - 2
2 p = 70

1 p = 70 ÷ 2 = 35

Amount that Marion needed to pay Sarah
= 1 p - 4 u
= 35 - 4 x 8
= 35 - 32
= $3

(b)
Amount that Marion needed to pay Wendy
= (1 p + 2) - 4 u
= (35 + 2) - 4 x 8
= 37 - 32
= $5

Answer(s): (a) $3; (b) $5