1. ## Algebraic Expression

Heather bought enough shells to make x necklaces. Each necklace holds 16 shells. Heather has made 10 necklaces.
Is 16x + 10 a reasonable way to represent the number of shells that Heather has left to make necklaces with? Explain your answer.

My Effort

We know that Heather has enough shells to make x necklaces. So, the variable x represents each necklace.

We are also told that each necklace holds 16 shells. This means that she bought 16 times x or 16x shells.

We also know that she already made 10 necklaces, which means she used 160 shells or (10 • 16). In conclusion, the number of shells she has left can be represented by the binomial 16x - 160. Is this right?

2. ## Re: Algebraic Expression

Yes, looks good to me. Alternately, you could represent the number of shells $\displaystyle S$ left, where $\displaystyle N$ is the number of necklaces made:

$\displaystyle S=16(x-N)$

3. ## Re: Algebraic Expression

Originally Posted by MarkFL
Yes, looks good to me. Alternately, you could represent the number of shells $\displaystyle S$ left, where $\displaystyle N$ is the number of necklaces made:

$\displaystyle S=16(x-N)$
Thank you.