Evelyn spent the day shopping and made the following purchases:
| Item | Cost ($) |
| ------- | -------- |
| Camera | 66.31 |
| Hat | 13.44 |
| Parking | 8.00 |
| Planner | 9.78 |
When Evelyn was done, she checked her account balance and found she had a total of $208.16. How much money was in Evelyn's account to begin with?
A. $110.53
B. $305.69
C. $315.47
D. $97.53
Please select the best answer from the choices provided.
Answer (1)
Calculate the total amount Evelyn spent: 66.31 + 13.44 + 8.00 + 9.78 = 97.53 .
Calculate Evelyn's initial account balance: 208.16 + 97.53 = 305.69 .
The initial balance is $\bf{305.69}.
The correct answer is b. $305.69 .
Explanation
Calculate Total Spending First, we need to calculate the total amount Evelyn spent. This is the sum of the cost of the camera, hat, parking, and planner.
Total Amount Spent The total amount Evelyn spent is: 66.31 + 13.44 + 8.00 + 9.78 = 97.53 So, Evelyn spent \t$\bf{97.53}.
Calculate Initial Balance Next, we need to find Evelyn's initial account balance. This is the sum of her final account balance and the total amount she spent.
Initial Account Balance Evelyn's initial account balance is: 208.16 + 97.53 = 305.69 Therefore, Evelyn's initial account balance was \t$\bf{305.69}.
Select Correct Answer Comparing our calculated initial balance to the provided options, we see that the correct answer is b. $\bf{305.69}
Examples
Understanding how to track expenses and calculate initial balances is crucial in personal finance. For example, if you are planning a trip, you can use this method to determine how much money you need to start with, given your expected expenses and desired ending balance. By summing up all anticipated costs (transportation, accommodation, activities) and adding your desired remaining balance, you can calculate the initial amount you need in your account to cover the trip.
