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

1. Nora?
2. Jane?

	Nora	Jane	Sarah	Linda	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 Linda 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 Sarah paid 
= 7 u - 4 u
= 3 u

3 u = 24

1 u = 24 ÷ 3 = 8

Total amount that Nora and Jane 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 Linda needed to pay Nora
= 1 p - 4 u
= 35 - 4 x 8
= 35 - 32
= $3

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

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