Can you help me answer this algebraic word problem?

Question

Tom spent $56 at the store. He bought 2 shirts at $12 each and a jacket. How much was the jacket?

Answer 1

Hi Teairra,

 

Our unknown is the cost of the jacket.  Pick

a variable to represent that:

Let j = price of the jacket.

 

Set up an equation based on what we know.

We spent 2(12) = $24 on the shirts.

The rest of the money was for the jacket.

The sum is $56.

 

2(12) + j = 56

24 + j = 56

subtract 24 from both sides

j = $32

 

Questions?

 

Answer 2

Teairra:  this can be confusing at first. To answer begin with the total amount spent ( $ 56).  Now subtract how much was spent ( 2 x $ 12 = $ 24).  Lastly, subtract the two figures ( 56 - 24 = 28).  The jacket cost $ 28.  You can check your answer by adding the jacket + the 2 shirts = total cost spent.

. The correct answer is 32... sorry for the confusion.