Hosted by Dolphin Designs Comment to: lawrence@carol.net a © David Lawrence 2000 .

Learn the basics of Algebra in 3 minutes See if you can folow the question below and how we deal with it. We are going to go back to Question 8 and go through it in detail. First, read the question. Question 8: Jennifer went shopping for birthday presents. She spent half of what she had, plus $5, for a blouse; then half of what was left, plus $5, for a cookbook; then half of what was left, plus $5, for stationery. Jennifer had nothing left. How much did she start with? Let 'x' equal the total money Jennifer spent. If you got confused with all the text you could make a rough sketch or chart. This may help you to see it clearer. Now let us figure what she spent on each item  Blouse = (x ÷ 2) + 5 This left a remainder of (x÷2) - 5 Cookbook = (x ÷ 4) - 2.1/2 + 5 .................. Half the remainder + 5 This left a remainder of (x ÷ 4) - 7.1/2 Stationery = (x ÷ 8) - 3.3/4 + 5 ................. Half the remainder + 5 The equation becomes as follows: 'x' = Cost of the blouse + Cost of the cookbook + Cost of the stationery x = (x ÷ 2) + 5 + (x ÷ 4) - 2.1/2 + 5 + (x ÷ 8) - 3.3/4 + 5 8x = 4x + 40 + 2x - 20 + 40 + x - 30 + 40 ................... (Multiply throughout by 8 to bring ........................................................................................................ x's to whole numbers) 8x - 4x -2x - x = 40 - 20 + 40 - 30 + 40 x =   Click on the answer below you believe is the correct one. Answer to question 8: A' - 70 'B' - 80 'C' - 90 'D' - 93.67 Home page