Question

In one trip to the hardware store you buy 15 boards, 3 boxes of nails, and a saw. One a second trip you buy 9 more boards and a box of nails. Define and use variables to represent the total cost.​

Answer 1

The variables representing the total cost of the items bought are x and y.

Where X is the total cost of the items bought during the first trip and Y is the total cost of the items bought during the second trip.

Items bought on the first trip:

Boards = 15

Boxes of nails = 3

Total cost = x

Items bought on the second trip:

Boards = 9

Boxes of nails = 1

Total cost = y

Variables:

Let a piece of board = b

Let a box of nails = n

Let the total cost for the first trip = x

Let the total cost for the second trip = y

Equations:

x = 15b + 3n

y = 9b + n