Final answer:
The cost of a small soft drink at the theater is $6.90, which was calculated by deducting the combined cost of two medium popcorns and the $10 gift certificate from the total amount Neil paid.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking how much does a soft drink cost at the theater. To solve this problem, we need to calculate the total cost of Angela and Neil's purchases at the movie theater and then isolate the cost of the soft drink. They bought two medium popcorns and one small soft drink, plus they had a $10 gift certificate. We know the following:
- The cost of a movie ticket is not relevant as they only bought concessions.
- Each medium popcorn costs $5.10, so two would cost 2 x $5.10 = $10.20.
- Neil paid $17.10 after using Angela's $10 gift certificate.
We can set up the equation: Total cost of items - Gift certificate value = Amount Neil paid.
Representing the cost of a soft drink as 'x', we get: (2 x $5.10 + x) - $10 = $17.10.
Substituting the cost of popcorn we have: ($10.20 + x) - $10 = $17.10.
Now, we simplify and solve for 'x':
$10.20 + x - $10 = $17.10
x = $17.10 + $10 - $10.20
x = $16.90
- Therefore, the cost of a small soft drink at the theater is $6.90.