Question

Pedro goes to the store and buys a binder, a folder, and a highlighter. The folders cost is half the cost of the binder, and the highlighters cost is $1.25 less than the binder. If the total cost of the three supplies without tax is $4.75, which of the following equations represents this situation?

a) B + F + H = 4.75
b) B - 0.5F - 1.25H = 4.75
c) B + 0.5F - 1.25H = 4.75
d) 0.5B + F - 1.25H = 4.75

Answer 1

The correct equation to represent Pedro's purchase is option (c) B + 0.5F - 1.25H = 4.75, as this equation correctly accounts for the relationships between the costs of the binder, folder, and highlighter.

Step-by-step explanation:

To represent Pedro's purchase of a binder, a folder, and a highlighter with an equation, we need to define variables for each item's cost and use the given relationships between these costs. Let B represent the cost of the binder, F the cost of the folder, and H the cost of the highlighter.

According to the problem:

• The folder's cost is half the cost of the binder: F = 0.5B
• The highlighter's cost is $1.25 less than the binder: H = B - 1.25
• The total cost of the three items is $4.75: B + F + H = 4.75

Substituting the expressions for F and H into the total cost equation, we get:

B + 0.5B + (B - 1.25) = 4.75

After substituting, the correct equation that represents the situation is:

B + 0.5B + (B - 1.25) = 4.75, which simplifies to B + 0.5B + B - 1.25 = 4.75. Thus, the correct choice that fits this equation with the variables as described is option (c): B + 0.5F - 1.25H = 4.75.