A class is organizing a going-away party for one of their students. They spend $26.38 on decorations, $78.92 on food, and $34.50 on a gift. If there are 15 students in the class who agreed to split the cost evenly, then how much does each person owe?
The correct answer and explanation is:
To find out how much each student owes, first calculate the total cost of the party. The total cost includes the expenses for decorations, food, and the gift:
- Decorations: $26.38
- Food: $78.92
- Gift: $34.50
Now, add these amounts together to find the total cost of the party: 26.38+78.92+34.50=139.8026.38 + 78.92 + 34.50 = 139.80
The total cost of the party is $139.80. Since 15 students are splitting the cost evenly, divide the total cost by the number of students: 139.8015=9.32\frac{139.80}{15} = 9.32
Therefore, each student owes $9.32.
This calculation is based on dividing the total cost of the party among all the students who agreed to contribute. Each student pays an equal share, ensuring that the costs are evenly distributed. The method used here is straightforward division, which is commonly applied in situations where multiple people are sharing a cost, such as for group gifts, events, or outings.
By dividing the total amount by the number of participants, each person’s contribution ensures that the financial burden is equally shared. It is also important to note that this approach is useful for group budgeting, where the goal is to determine individual contributions without anyone paying more or less than their fair share.