Question

A high school basketball team has a budget specifically for towels and extra basketballs. A towel costs $3 and a basketball costs $18. Assume the budget is $450 and that 30 towels are needed for the team for the entire season. Use a standard form equation to determine how many basketballs may be purchased by the team.

Answer 1

An equation that can be used is 3T + 18B = 450. Since they know they need 30 towels, substitute 30 for T. The equation becomes 3(30) + 18B = 450. Simplifying, 90 + 18B = 450. Subtract 90 from each side, 18B = 360. Finally, divide each side by 18, B = 20. The maximum number of basketballs that may be purchased is 20.