Final answer:
To calculate the cost of each gift, subtract the grocery cost from the total expense, which results in $15 for both gifts. Dividing by 2 gives $7.50 as the price for each gift.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ms. Whitney's total expense at the store was $38.50, which included the cost of two gifts for her nephews and $23.50 spent on groceries. In order to find out the cost of each gift, we need to subtract the cost of groceries from the total expense. This gives us the total cost for both gifts.
Finding the total cost for both gifts:
Total expense - Cost of groceries = Cost for both gifts
$38.50 - $23.50 = $15.00
Since both gifts cost the same amount, to find the cost of each gift, we divide the total cost for both gifts by 2.
Cost of each gift = Total cost for both gifts / 2
$15.00 / 2 = $7.50
Therefore, each gift cost $7.50.