Five friends went out to lunch. They each started with the same amount of money, and they each spent $3. They ended with a combined total of $45. How much money did each of them have to start? ? (a) Write an equation that could be used to answer the question above. First, choose the appropriate form. Then, fill in the blanks with the numbers 5, 3, and 45. Let r represent the amount (in dollars) each person had to start.