Question

Divide £5 into two parts so that one is three times the other.

Answer 1

$let \: us \: consider \: the \: first \: part \: to \: be \: x \: and \: the \: second \: part \: to \: be \: 3x \\ total \: amount = 5 \: pounds \\ so \: \\ first \: part + second \: part = total \: amount \\ x + 3x = 5 \\ 4x = 5 \\ x = \frac{5}{4} \\ x = 1.25 \\ so \: now \: \\ first \: part = x = 1.25 \: pounds \\ second \: part = 3x = 3 \times 1.25 = 3.75 \: pounds$