document.write( "Question 117365This question is from textbook Algebra Structure and Method
\n" ); document.write( ": Charlene paid $131.44, including tax, for a desk. The tax was 31 cents less than 1/16 the cost of the desk. Find the cost of the desk.\r
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Algebra.Com's Answer #85563 by bucky(2189)\"\" \"About 
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Start by letting D represent the cost of the desk and T represent the tax paid.
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\n" ); document.write( "The first sentence tells you that the cost of the desk plus the tax equals $131.44. In
\n" ); document.write( "equation form this is:
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\n" ); document.write( "D + T = 131.44
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\n" ); document.write( "The second sentence tells you that the tax T equals (1/16) times the cost of the desk less 0.31 dollars.
\n" ); document.write( "In equation form this is
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\n" ); document.write( "T = (1/16)D - 0.31
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\n" ); document.write( "Substitute the right side of this equation for T into the first equation for the total price
\n" ); document.write( "and the first equation becomes:
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\n" ); document.write( "D + (1/16)D - 0.31 = 131.44
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\n" ); document.write( "Get rid of the -0.31 on the left side by adding 0.31 to both sides to get:
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\n" ); document.write( "D + (1/16)D = 131.75
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\n" ); document.write( "Since D is equivalent to (16/16)D you can substitute that for D and you get:
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\n" ); document.write( "(16/16)D + (1/16)D = 131.75
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\n" ); document.write( "The sum of the two terms on the left side is:
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\n" ); document.write( "(17/16)D = 131.76
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\n" ); document.write( "You can solve this equation for D by either dividing both sides by (17/16) or by multiplying
\n" ); document.write( "both sides by (16/17). In either case you get:
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\n" ); document.write( "D = (16/17)*131.75 = (16*131.75)/17
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\n" ); document.write( "Calculator time. 16 times 131.75 = 2108 and dividing that product by 17 gives and answer of:
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\n" ); document.write( "D = $124.
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\n" ); document.write( "That's the answer. The cost of the desk was $124.00
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\n" ); document.write( "Hope this helps you to understand the problem.
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