EXPLANATION
Let's see the facts:
T-shirt sale price= $10
Cost = $7/shirt
Setup fee = $45
We have that selling a certain number of shirts will allow the students to cover their costs.
Cost= Setup fee + Unit Cost * Number of sold shirts
Let's call x to the number of sold shirts, the equation that represents the cost is:
Cost = 45 + 7x
Then, in order allow the students to cover their cost, the earns should be greater than the cost:
EARNS = COST
The equation that represents the earns is:
Earn= 10x
Now equaling the earns and the cost will give us the needed relationship:
10x = 45 + 7x
Subtracting 7x to both sides:
10x -7x = 45
Adding similar terms:
3x = 45
Dividing both sides by 3:
x = 45/3 = 15
So, 15 shirts should be sold to cover the costs.
The cost is:
Cost= 45 + 7*15 = 150
The cost is $150.