Final answer:
To find the original number of baseball cards Alphonso had, we use algebra and set up the equation c - 16 = 80. Adding 16 to both sides gives us c = 96, indicating Alphonso started with 96 cards.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking us to determine the number of baseball cards Alphonso originally had before he gave any away. We are giving the situation whereby in the end, after giving some cards away, he is left with 80 cards. To solve this, we need to use algebra with c representing the number of cards Alphonso started with.
We can set up the equation as follows: Alphonso's starting cards minus the cards he gave away equals the number of cards he has left. Mathematically, this can be written as c - 16 = 80.
To find out the value of c, we simply add 16 to both sides of the equation to isolate c on one side:
- c - 16 + 16 = 80 + 16
- c = 96
Therefore, Alphonso originally had 96 baseball cards.