In a basketball game, Tim scored 10 points more......

[VJesus12]

In a basketball game, Tim scored 10 points more than Joe, but only half as many points as Ken. If the three players scored a combined total of 50 points, how many points did Tim score?

A. 10
B. 15
C. 16
D. 24
E. 25

The OA is the option B.

Experts, what are the equations that I should set? I got confused with the equations. <i class="em em-confused"></i>

[EconomistGMATTutor]

Hello vjesus12.

Let's take a look at your question.

Let be T= Tim, J=Joe and K=Ken.

Then:

Tim scored 10 points more than Joe implies that T=J+10. (J=T-10)

but only half as many points as Ken implies that T=K/2. (2T=K)

the three players scored a combined total of 50 points implies that T+J+K=50.

Hence, $$50=T+J+K=T+\left(T-10\right)+2T=4T-10$$ $$4T=60\ \Leftrightarrow\ T=15.$$ Hence, the correct answer is the option [spoiler]B=15[/spoiler].

I hope this answer can help you.

I'm available if you'd like a follow-up.

Regards.

[GMATGuruNY]

In a basketball game, Tim scored 10 points more than Joe, but only half as many points as Ken. If the three players scored a combined total of 50 points, how many points did Tim score?

A. 10
B. 15
C. 16
D. 24
E. 25

We can PLUG IN THE ANSWERS, which represent Tim's score.
When the correct answer is plugged in, the sum of the 3 scores will be 50.

B: T=15
Since Tim scores 10 more points than Joe, Joe's score is 10 less than Tim's:
J = 15-10 = 5.
Since Tim scores 1/2 as many points as Ken, Ken's score is double Tim's:
K = 2*15 = 30.
Sum = 15+5+30 = 50.
Success!

The correct answer is B.

[Scott@TargetTestPrep]

In a basketball game, Tim scored 10 points more than Joe, but only half as many points as Ken. If the three players scored a combined total of 50 points, how many points did Tim score?

A. 10
B. 15
C. 16
D. 24
E. 25

We can let the number of points scored by Tim, Joe, and Ken = T, J, and K, respectively, and create the equations:

T = J + 10

T - 10 = J

and

T = (1/2)K

2T = K

and

T + J + K = 50

Substituting, we have:

T + T - 10 + 2T = 50

4T = 60

T = 15

Answer: B