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.