Question 22928
 Let's keep track of how much is left after each transaction,
 rather than how much was spent.
Let's say Hali started with amount x of money.
Ipod took 1/2 of it leaving her with (1/2)x
Grill cost her 1/4 of that leaving her with (3/4)(1/2)x = (3/8)x
Sweater cost 1/5 of that leaving her (4/5)(3/8)x= (3/10)x
Games cost 1/3 of that leaving her (2/3)(3/10)x = (1/5)x
Lotion and Lunch cost her 68.50 leaving her (1/5)x-68.50
EQUATION:
(1/5)x-68.50 = 41.50
(1/5)x = 110
     x = $550.00 (the amount she started with)

Cheers,
Stan H.