Molly has 6 grandchildren. She likes to be fair and buy gifts for all of them at the same time. She found jigsaw puzzles, each discounted by 50¢. Find the original cost of each puzzle if she spent a total of $27
To find the original cost of each puzzle, we can use algebra.
Let's assume the original cost of each puzzle is x dollars.
Since Molly bought 6 puzzles, the total cost would be 6x dollars.
The question tells us that each puzzle was discounted by 50¢, which means the current cost of each puzzle is x - 0.50 dollars.
The total amount Molly spent on 6 puzzles is given as $27.
So, we can set up the equation: 6 * (x - 0.50) = 27.
Now, let's solve for x by simplifying the equation:
6x - 3 = 27 (by distributing 6 to x and -0.50)
6x = 27 + 3
6x = 30
Divide both sides by 6:
x = 5
Therefore, the original cost of each puzzle was $5.
The total discount was 50¢ * 6 grandchildren * 2 = $<<50*6*2=600>>600
The puzzles cost $27 + $6 = $<<27+6=33>>33 before the discount
The original cost of each puzzle was $33 / 6 = $<<33/6=5.50>>5.50. Answer: \boxed{5.50}.