Question

Last week, Danielle spent x dollars on lunch, three times as much on transportation as she did on lunch, and $4 less on books than she did on transportation.

Write the expressions for the total amount Danielle spent last week on transportation and books.
If Danielle had $59 to spend last week, what is the greatest amount she could spend on lunch?

Answer 1

Danielle spent three times as much on transportation as she did on lunch, so we can call this 3x.

She spent $4 less than on books than she did on transportation -> 3x - 4

So, she spent x + 3x + 3x - 4 (simplified as 7x - 4).

Danielle had $59 to spend last week -> 7x - 4 = 59
Solve for x : (59+4)/7 = 9

So, she can spend at max $9 on lunch


Recheck : 9 + 27 + 27 - 4 = 63 - 4 = 59.