Dr. Abdullah Kamran Soomro

by Abdullah Kamran Soomro
(Sindh, Pakistan)

PROBLEM
Jane spent $42 for shoes. This was $14 less than twice what she spent for a blouse. How much was the blouse?


SOLUTION
Let "x" be how much she spent for the blouse. The problem states that "This" -- that is, $42, was $14 less than two times x.

Here is the equation:

2x − 14 = 42.

2x = 42 + 14

= 56.

x = 56/2

= 28.

The blouse cost $28.