Question

Coral spent half of her weekly allowance playing mini-golf. To earn more money her parents let her wash the car for $4. What is her weekly allowance if she ended with $12? Include a let statement.

Answer 1

$16

Explanation:

Let x=number of cars washed when y=allowance. We know she got $4 as a result of washing the car. She ends with $12, and we want to find the amount before washing the car.

$12 - $4 = $8

So, Coral had $8 before washing the car. Since she spent half of her allowance already playing golf, we know that $8 is only half of her total weekly allowance. Double this.

($8)2 = $16

Therefore, her weekly allowance is $16.

We can check this. She spent half playing golf, $16 / 2 = $8. She washes a car for $4. $8 + $4 = $12, which is what she ended with. So our answer is correct.