If Ryan has $1127 left after spending 15 of his monthly salary for rent and 17 of his monthly salary for his utility bill, what was his monthly salary?

Question

Please help me with this question. I don't know how to begin to answer it

Answer 1

Hi Tori, if we let x be Ryan's monthly salary, the the equation for what remains after he has spent 15% for rent and 17% for utilities is:

 

x - (.15x + .17x) = 1127

 

x - .32x = 1167

 

.68x = 1167

 

I do not like to work with decimals, so multiply both sides by 100:

 

68x = 116700

 

Divide both sides by 68:

 

x = 1657.35

 

Ryan's monthly salary is $1657.35.

 

Check:

 

1657.35 - (.15 * 1657.35 + .17 * 1657.35) = 1127

 

1657.35 - 530.35 = 1127

 

1127 = 1127, values check.

 

Questions?