Final answer:
To find the original cost of the dinner, we can set up an equation x + 5.98 = 39.97 and solve for x.
Step-by-step explanation:
To write an equation that represents the situation, we can let x represent the original cost of the dinner. Since the cost of the dinner increased by 5.98, the new cost can be represented as x + 5.98. We are given that the new cost of the dinner is 39.97, so we can set up the equation:
x + 5.98 = 39.97
To solve for x, we can subtract 5.98 from both sides of the equation:
x = 39.97 - 5.98
x = 33.99
The original cost of the dinner, represented by x, is $33.99.