5x + 18 = 153
We have x representing the price of the paperback novels, okay? Then we've got 4x, representing the amount spent on clothes, because she spent 4 times as much on clothes then on paperbacks. Next, we have 18, because of the additional $18 spent on the DVD. Finally, we set the equation equal to 153, because Natalia spent $153 total.
So we've got x + 4x + 18 = 183.
Combine like terms.
x + 4x = 5x.
Now our final equation is 5x + 18 = 153.
For the second part, we'll just solve for x in this simple two step equation.
5x + 18 = 153
Subtract 18 from both sides
5x + 18 = 153
- 18 - 18
5x = 135
Divide both sides by 5 to isolate the variable.
5x / 5 = 135 / 5
x = 27
We can check this by substituting our solution back into our equation. We do that by replacing the variable x with 27.
5x + 18 = 153
5(27) + 18 = 153
135 + 18 = 153
153 = 153
So our solution is correct!
The equation is '5x + 18 = 135'
Natalia spent $27 on paperbacks.
Hope this helps!!
Let me know if you need help understanding anything and I'll try to explain the best I can.
