Final answer:
The equation representing the total payments for a 2023 Honda Civic, with a down payment of $4,500 and monthly payments of $375 for m months, is 26,050 = 4,500 + (375 × m). This equation can be used to calculate the total number of months needed to pay off the car.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is looking to create an equation that represents the total payments for a 2023 Honda Civic. The cost of the car before tax is $26,050, and Jean makes a down payment of $4,500. The remaining balance will be paid in monthly installments of $375 for m months. The equation to represent this situation is:
Balance Equation:
Total Cost = Down Payment + (Monthly Payment × m)
Where:
- Total Cost is the price of the car before tax, which is $26,050.
- Down Payment is the amount Jean pays upfront, which is $4,500.
- Monthly Payment is the amount Jean pays each month, which is $375.
- m represents the number of months Jean will make the monthly payments.
Substituting the given values into the equation, we have:
26,050 = 4,500 + (375 × m)
This equation can be solved for m to find out how many months it will take for Jean to pay off the car completely.