Answer:
The maximum number of text messages you can send per month would be 23.
Explanation:
1. First, you want to create an inequality from the word problem. You know that $24.99 is a constant, so we won't put any variables next to it. You also know that each text message is $0.17, so that would need a variable since it can change each month. You also know that you can spend $29 maximum each month, so that goes on the other side of the inequality. Your inequality will look like this: 0.17x+24.99≤29 (x is the number of text messages).
2. Second, you want to solve for x. To do this, subtract 24.99 from each side. After this, the equation is 0.17x≤4.01
3. Now, divide each side by 0.17. Now your inequality is x≤23.59. This represents how many text messages you can send per month without going over 29.
4. Finally, you have to realize that is impossible to send exactly 23.59 text messages. So, you have to round down to 23 to get an even number of text messages, and that's your answer!
Hope this helps! Feel free to ask any questions :)