Question 641878
Start with

5.00s +6.50s + 7.25s + 20 = 5.50s + 4.75s +5.75s +8.00s+ 18.00


and multiply EVERY number by 100 to clear out the decimals


100*5.00s +100*6.50s + 100*7.25s + 100*20 = 100*5.50s + 100*4.75s +100*5.75s +100*8.00s+ 100*18.00


500s +650s + 725s + 2000 = 550s + 475s +575s +800s+ 1800



Note: this effectively moves the decimal 2 spots to the right for each number


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Now let's solve for 's'



500s +650s + 725s + 2000 = 550s + 475s +575s +800s+ 1800


1875*s+2000 = 550s + 475s +575s +800s+ 1800


1875s+2000 = 2400s+1800


1875s - 2400s = 1800 - 2000


-525s = -200


s = -200/(-525)


s = 8/21


s = 0.3809523


If you need to round to the nearest hundredth, then the final answer is <font color="red">s = 0.38</font>