Question

Define a variable, set up an inequality, and solve. Only algebraic solutions are accepted. “Mikayla has three savings accounts that she distributes her money into each paycheck. If she wishes to put at least $80 into each account this paycheck, how much money must she make?”

Answer 1

Solution:

Note that Mikayla has three savings accounts that she distributes her money into each paycheck. Now, let us denote by x the money in the accounts, thus if she wishes to put at least $80 into each account this paycheck, this means that the total amount of money must be greater than or equal to 3(80). This is equivalent to say:

$3(80)\leq x$

this is equivalent to:

$240\leq x\text{ }$

so that, we can conclude that the correct answer is:

$x\ge240$