Question

Ashley has x dollars. She spends $23.50 on a birthday gift. She decides to keep 0.4 of what she has left, which is $13.80. How many dollars did Ashley have originally?

Write both the equation you used and the answer.

Answer 1

Answer: $58

Explanation:

Let x represent the original amount Ashley has.

Dollars spent on new top = $23.50

Amount of money Ashley is left with : $(x - 23.50)

It is given that Ashley decides to keep 2 fifths of what she has left which is $13.80.

Then you use the distribution property,

Add 9.4 on both sides.

Divide both sides by 0.4

So, Ashley had $58 originally.

Answer 2

She has $58 initially

The equation is;

0.4(y-23.5) = 13.8

where y is the original money she has

Explanation:

Let the amount she has originally be $y

she spends $23.50 on a birthday gift

what is left will be;

(y- 23.50)

She decides to keep 0.4 of this and this is equal to 13.8

Thus;

0.4(y-23.5) = 13.8

y- 23.5 = 13.8/0.4

y- 23.5 = 34.5

y = 34.5 + 23.5

y = $58