75¢ off coupon to buy a roll of film. If the film was priced at $3.98 and tax was 31¢, how much change did she receive if she paid with a $5 bill?

Question

A) 5.00-(3.98+.31-.75) 

B) 5.00-3.98-.31-.75

C) 3.98+.31+.75-5.00

D) 3.98+.31-.75-5.00

E) 5.00+3.98+.31+.75

 

I don't understand and would love if you showed me how to do this

Answer 1

Look at the signs of all of the individual elements. Think of it as your money and the theater's money:

 

+ $5 paid: this is our money we are paying so this is positive

+ 75c coupon: this is essentially money coming back to us.

- 3.98 bill: this is money belonging to the movie theater

- 31c tax: this is also money belonging to the movie theater

 

So thats 5 + .75 - 3.98 - 31, which is A.

Answer 2

Price:      $3.98

75¢ off   - 0.75

           ----------

               3.23

Tax      +  0.31

            --------

                3.54

 

Paid       $5.00

totals    -  3.54    (3.98 +0.31 -0.75)

           ----------

change     1.46

 

This is:  A) 5.00-(3.98+.31-.75)