Can you tell me how you would answer this question? My teacher says that one answer is correct but I think that my answer is correct. I want a second opinion.
A soccer coach purchases 12 uniforms for 17.50 each. He buys 6 soccer balls for 8.58. How much did he spend in all?
I think that the answer should be solved by multiplying 12 times 17.50 and then addind 8.58 as the word each is only implied to uniforms and not the balls. My teacher has that you should assume the balls cost 8.58 each.
Which is the right answer?
The question is stated carelessly. There is no right or wrong. You should not have to assume anything. Blame whoever wrote the question.
26.08
To determine the correct answer, let's analyze the information provided.
Your teacher says that you should assume the soccer balls cost $8.58 each. Based on this assumption, the coach bought 6 soccer balls, so the total spent on soccer balls would be 6 multiplied by $8.58, which equals $51.48.
On the other hand, you argue that the word "each" is only implied for uniforms and not soccer balls. In this case, the coach bought 12 uniforms at $17.50 each, totaling 12 multiplied by $17.50, which equals $210.
To find out how much the coach spent in all, you would need to add the total spent on the uniforms and the total spent on the soccer balls. So, if you assume the balls cost $8.58 each, the answer would be $210 (uniforms) + $51.48 (soccer balls) = $261.48.
However, if you assume that the word "each" only applies to uniforms and not soccer balls, then the answer would be $210 (uniforms) + $8.58 (soccer balls) = $218.58.
Now, the question is whether the word "each" applies to both uniforms and soccer balls, or just to uniforms as you suggest. Since the question does not provide explicit information, it's open to interpretation, and both answers can be justified depending on the assumption made.
To get a second opinion on which assumption is more appropriate, you may want to discuss it with another teacher or consult your peers. Ultimately, it's important to understand the reasoning behind each interpretation and explain your viewpoint to support your answer.