Question

I enter the mall with $75 dollars. I spend a dollars at American Eagle, which is 4 more than the amount I spent at Banana Republic. I also spent 15 less at American Eagle than I spent at Cole Haan. How much money do I have left after shopping at these three stores?

Answer 1

a + a - 4 + a + 15 = 3a + 11

75 - (3a + 11) = 75 - 3a - 11 = 64-3a

Answer 2

I spent a dollars at American Eagle, which is 4 more than the amount I spent at Banana Republic ( b ).
a = b + 4. Therefore: b = a - 4
Also I spent 15 less at American Eagle than I spent in Cole Haan ( c ).
a = c - 15, or: c = a + 15.
75 - a - ( a - 4 ) - ( a + 15 ) = 75 - a - a + 4 - a - 15 =
= 64 - 3 a
Answer: I have 64 - 3a dollars left after shopping at these three stores. Now we just have to know how much dollars I spent at American Eagle and we will have the amount in dollars.