Question

Processes 5. &Practices 5 Use Math Tools The fourth grade class collected $56 in donations. This is $4 more than one-third the amount collected by the fifth grade class. How much money in donations did the fifth grade class collect?

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Answer 1

$156

Explanation:

"x" will represent the amount collected by the fifth grade class.

First, write out your equation.

56= (x/3)+4

Subtract 4 from both sides.

56=(x/3)+4

-4 -4

52=(x/3)

Now cancel out the "/3" by multiplying both sides by 3.

3*(52)=(x/3)*3

156=x

So, the fifth grade class collected $156 total. To make sure this is correct, we will solve the original equation again, but we'll replace the "x" with 156.

56=(156/3)+4

You do NOT need to subtract the 4 from both sides this time. Solve the problem in the parentheses first.

56= 52+4

Now completely solve both sides of the equation.

56=56

If the number is equal, this means we have solved the original equation correctly.

Now, an alternative for checking this is this:
Divide 156 by 3. This gives us 52. Then, add 4 to that amount, because the fourth grade class earn 4 more than 1/3 of the fifth grade class. You will get 56, which is the amount of the fourth grade class.