Question

The student council at Livingston High School is making T-shirts to sell for a fundraiser, at a price of $16 apiece. The costs, meanwhile, are $4 per shirt, plus a setup fee of $60. Selling a certain number of shirts will allow the student council to cover their costs. How many shirts must be sold?

Answer 1

5 shirts must be sold.

Explanation:

First, set up the equation. Each shirt (x) is sold for $16:

For every amount (y) for x: (y)(x) = (16)(y)

The cost is $4, with the setup fee as $60.

(16)(y) = (4)(y) + 60

16y = 4y + 60

Isolate the variable (y). Note the equal sign, what you do to one side, you do to the other. First, subtract 4y from both sides.

16y (-4y) = 4y (-4y) + 60

16y - 4y = 60

12y = 60

Next, isolate the variable (y). Divide 12 from both sides.

(12y)/12 = (60)/12

y = 60/12

y = 5

5 shirts must be sold.

To check, plug in 5 for y in the equation:

16y = 4y + 60

16(5) = 4(5) + 60

Simplify.

16(5) = 4(5) + 60

80 = 4(5) + 60

80 = 20 + 60

80 = 80 (True).

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