Question

Two college friends rent an apartment. They have to pay the landlord two months rent and a $500 security deposit when they sign the lease. The total amount they pay the landlord is $2,800. What is the rent for one month?

Answer 1

You would set up an equation like
2x + 500 = 2800
And then you would solve for x. So, you subtract 500 from both sides
2x = 2300
And then you know that 2300 covers two months of rent so you must divide that by two to get one month of rent
X = 1150

Answer 2

500 + 2x = 2800

solve for x

x=1500

The month's rent is $1,150.