Final answer:
Abby and Joe will owe the same amount on their laptops after 15 weeks.
Explanation:
To determine the number of weeks it takes for Abby and Joe to owe the same amount on their laptops, we can set up an equation based on their weekly payments. Let A represent Abby's laptop cost, J represent Joe's laptop cost, aₓ represent Abby's weekly payment, jₓ represent Joe's weekly payment, and w represent the number of weeks.
The equation for Abby's total payment after w weeks is given by A = aₓ * w, and for Joe, it is J = jₓ * w. To find when they owe the same amount, we set A = J and solve for w. Given the values, A = 575, J = 850, aₓ = 25, and jₓ = 50, the equation becomes 25w = 50w, and solving for w, we get w = 15.
Therefore, Abby and Joe will owe the same amount on their laptops after 15 weeks of making weekly payments. This result is obtained by equating the total payments for each person and solving for the number of weeks required for the amounts to be equal.
In summary, the calculation involves understanding the relationship between the weekly payments and the total cost of the laptops for both individuals. The solution indicates the point at which Abby and Joe will have paid off the same amount on their respective laptops.