Question

Tina is saving to buy a notebook computer. She has two options. The first option is to put $500 away initially and save $30 every month. The second option is to put $300 away initially and save $50 every month. After how many months would Tina save the same amount using either option? How much would she save with either option?

Answer 1

10 months is the answer

Answer 2

10 months. Each plan will save 800 dollars.

Explanation:

500 + 30x = y

300 + 50x = y

You want the months to give the same amount of money. The x has to be the same for both

500 + 30x = 300 + 50x Subtract 300 from both sides

500 - 300 + 30x = 50x Combine

200 + 30x = 50x Subtract 30x from both sides

200 = 50x - 30x Combine

200 = 20x Divide by 20

x = 10

So in 10 months time the amounts will be the same. How much will there be?

500 + 30*10 = 500 + 300 = 800

300 + 50*10 = 300 + 500 = 800