Final answer:
The equation t-15=57 can be used to find the total number of tennis balls Brenna checks.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the total number of tennis balls Brenna checks, we can use the equation t-15=57.
The equation t-15=57 represents that the total number of tennis balls checked, t, minus the number of tennis balls thrown away, 15, is equal to the number of tennis balls returned to the basket, 57.
We can solve the equation by adding 15 to both sides to isolate t, giving us t=72.
t-15=57
t-15+15=57+15
t=72