Calvin had 1/2 as much money as Eddy. Calvin spent $36 and Eddy had 8 times as much money
as Calvin in the end. How much did both of them have altogether at first?
$c=1/2e$(c is calvin's money at the start, e is eddy's money at the start)
$8(c-36)=e$
Substituting $c=1/2e$
$8(1/2e-36)=e$
$4e-288=e$
$3e=288$
$e=96$ dollars
$c=1/2e$
$c=1/2(96)$
$c=48$ dollars
$48+96=\boxed{144}$ dollars