Interpreting Equations in Context

8.2.1 Interpreting Equations in Context

8.2.1 • Interpreting Equations in Context

Warm Up

A close-up of a roll of vintage-style raffle or event tickets with TICKET and KEEP THIS COUPON printed on them, illuminated by soft, warm light.

Tickets to a play cost $12, and for each purchase there is a $2.50 fee. The expression $12 t + 2.50$ represents the cost to purchase tickets for the play, where $t$ is the number of tickets. Be prepared to explain your response to each question.

A family paid $62.50 for tickets. How many tickets were bought?

Compare your answer:

Five tickets were bought. Subtracting 2.50 from 62.50 gives 60. If $12 t$ is 60, then $t$ is 5.

A teacher paid $278.50 for tickets for her students. How many tickets were bought?

Compare your answer:

Twenty-three tickets were bought. Subtracting 2.50 from 278.50 gives 276. If $12 t$ is 276, then $t$ is 23.