1. Fifteen more than half a number is 9.

2. Eight more than four times a number is - 12.

3. Amy has saved $725 for a new guitar and lessons. Her guitar costs $475, and guitar lessons are $25 per hour. Determine how many hours of lessons she can afford.

1. x = - 12

2. x = - 5

3. 10 hours

Step-by-step explanation:

You can write each as an equation and solve it by converting the words to math symbols:

more than is + half a number is 0.5x a number is x four times a number is 4x is =

1. "Fifteen more" is 15 + and "half a number" is 0.5x "is 9" = 9.

Together it becomes 15 + 0.5x = 9. Solve using inverse operations:

15 + 0.5x = 9

15-15+0.5x = 9-15

0.5x = - 6

x = - 12

2. "Eight more" is 8 + "than four times a number" is 4x and equals - 12.

Together it becomes 8 + 4x = - 12. Solve using inverse operations:

8 + 4x = - 12

8-8 + 4x = - 12 - 8

4x = - 20

x = - 5

3. If Amy has saved $725 then this is the most she can spend. She spends $475 for the guitar. This means that $725 - $475 = $250. She can spend $250 for the lessons. To find how many lessons divide the money left by the lesson price. 250/25 = 10. She can take 10 hours of lessons.