Question

A student usually saves $20 a month. He would like to reach a goal of saving $350 in 12 months. The students writes the equation 350=12 (x+20) to represent this situation. Solve the equation for x

Answer 1

in this case, x is the amount more he needs to save per month

350=12(x+20)
distribute
350=12x+240
minus 240 both sides
110=12x
divide both sides by 12
9.166666=x

needs to save about $9.17 more per month or 29.17 permonth

Answer 2

350=12(x+20)
first multiply 12 into the parentheses
350=12x+240
now subtract 240 on both sides
110=12x
and finally divide 12 on both sides
9.17
so now 9.17=x