Question

Merisa spent 3/4 of her money on a dictionary. She spent 1/2 of the remainder on a calculator. The dictionary cost $30 more than the calculator. How much did the dictionary cost?

Answer 1

Explanation:

she has x money at the beginning.

(3/4)x = dictionary

the remainder is (1/4)x.

1/2 of that (1/4 × 1/2 = 1/8) is the calculator.

that means she has (1/4)x - (1/8)x = (1/8)x left.

the dictionary is $30 more than the calculator.

so,

(3/4)x = (1/8)x + 30

(6/8)x = (1/8)x + 30

(5/8)x = 30

5x = 240

x = 240/5 = $48

so, the dictionary cost

(3/4)x = (3/4)×48 = 3×12 = $36