Pete has thrice as many playing cards as tommy . Andy has 35 fewer playing cards than Pete . The three boys have 259 playing cards altogethe

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Here's a pretty simple way to do this. Let Tommy's cards =x. Then Pete's cards = 3x. And Andy's cards = 3x - 35.

So.....

[x] + [3x] + [3x - 35] = 259    simplify

7x - 35 = 259         add 35 to both sides

7x = 294       divide by 7 on both sides

x = 42

So Andy's cards = [3(42) - 35] = 91

P is the nmber Pete has etc   How many cards does Andy have?

P=3T

A=P-35  substitute in P=3T 

A=3T-35

P+A+T=259   substitute in P=3T

3T+A+T=259  ==>  4T+A=259 ==>   A=259-4T  

so

3T-35=259-4T

7T=224 WRONG 7T=294    edited from here

T=42

now A=259-4T 

A=259 - 4 x 42 = 259-168 = 91 

I think that is the answer but you should find Pete's number of cards and then check that the numbers work with the original words.  If it is wrong you can let me know.  If it is right then a thumbs up and a new post thankyou would be really nice. 

Thanks Chris,  

your answer was much neater!

Well....there's an old expression that I always like concering two or more people getting the same answers through different methods......

......You and I might mow your yard in different ways, but in the end, it all looks pretty much the same !!!