Question

Writing You want to buy a pet iguana that costs $50. You already have $16 and you plan to save $7

per week. If w represents the number of weeks until you have enough money to buy the iguana, what
equation could you use to find the value of w? Use pencil and paper. Explain how you could set up an
equation to find the amount of money you should save each week if you want to buy the iguana in
three weeks.

Answer 1

50 = 16 + 7w

amount to save each week for 3 weeks = $11.33

Explanation:

Cost of pet iguana = $50

Amount you have = $16

Savings per week = $7

Number of weeks = w

Equation:

50 = 16 + 7w

To find w

50 - 16 = 7w

34 = 7w

w = 34/7

w = 4.86

Approximately w = 5 weeks to the nearest whole week

if you want to buy the iguana in

three weeks

Let x = amount to save each week for 3 weeks

50 = 16 + 3x

50 - 16 = 3x

34 = 3x

x = 34/3

x = 11.33

amount to save each week for 3 weeks = $11.33