after a 16% discount from the list price the sale price of a wallet is 16.80 what is the list price of the wallet

Question

Describe the above situation as a linear equation using "
x" or "
y" as variable names to describe the unknowns. 

Answer 1

Hi Brittany,

 

Let's begin by writing in words an equation to show how the sale price is to calculated from the discount off the list price:

    sale price = list price - discount

 

Now let's replace the words with equivalent mathematical expressions:

    sale price = 16.80       [given]

    list price = x              [unknown]

    discount = (0.16)(x)    [given percent x list price]

 

Note that 0.16 is the equivalent decimal value of 16%:

    16% = 16/100 = 0.16

 

Now let's write the equation we had in words using our mathematical expressions and we'll have our linear equation:

    16.80 = x - 0.16x  [linear equation]

 

It helps to first form our equation in words for a guide as to what our equivalent mathematical expressions should be.

 

Thanks for submitting this problem and glad to help

 

God bless, Jordan.