Lets assign some variables: Let
j = Joji and
m = Masao
Given:
j = 3m (Joji [j] earns [=] 3 times as much as Masao [3m])
j + m = 4500 (Joji and Masao [j+m] earn [=] $4500)
Find M, money Masao earns
I will solve by substitution. Plugging in 3m for j we get:
(3m) + m = 4500 combining like terms:
4m = 4500 now divide by 4 on both sides
m = 1125
Masao earns $1125.