Vanessa, Jen, Rachel and Min went to buy a present for their father. They shared the cost equally among themselves. However, Min forgot to bring her money. So, the other 3 girls paid for the present first. Rachel paid ⁷₉ of the amount Vanessa and Jen paid. Jen paid $2 more than Vanessa. The next day, Min returned $12 to Rachel and some money to Vanessa and Jen. How much did Min return to

1. Vanessa?
2. Jen?

	Vanessa	Jen	Rachel	Min	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 Min first	- ?	- ?	- 12	+ 12 + ?
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 = 12

1 u = 12 ÷ 3 = 4

Total amount that Vanessa and Jen paid at first
= 9 u
= 9 x 4
= $36

1 p + 1 p + 2 = 36
2 p = 36 - 2
2 p = 34

1 p = 34 ÷ 2 = 17

Amount that Min needed to pay Vanessa
= 1 p - 4 u
= 17 - 4 x 4
= 17 - 16
= $1

(b)
Amount that Min needed to pay Jen
= (1 p + 2) - 4 u
= (17 + 2) - 4 x 4
= 19 - 16
= $3

Answer(s): (a) $1; (b) $3