You started this year with $281 saved and you continue to save an additional $29 per month. Write an algebraic expression to represent the total amount of money saved after m months.
The correct answer and explanation is:
To represent the total amount of money saved after m months, the algebraic expression would be:
Total savings = 281 + 29m
Explanation:
- $281 represents the initial amount of money saved at the start of the year. This is a fixed value, so it does not change as time passes.
- $29 per month is the amount added to the savings each month. This amount is variable, meaning it depends on how many months have passed. If you save for m months, the total amount saved from these monthly contributions is 29m. The “m” represents the number of months, and multiplying it by 29 gives the total amount saved after m months.
Thus, the total savings is the sum of the initial $281 and the amount saved over m months, which is represented by 29m.
For example:
- After 1 month, the total savings would be:
281 + 29(1) = 310 - After 3 months, the total savings would be:
281 + 29(3) = 368 - After 6 months, the total savings would be:
281 + 29(6) = 424
In general, this expression allows you to calculate the total savings at any given time, depending on how many months have passed.