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AlgebraEasySheets left in a printer tray

Algebra practice question

A printer tray is loaded with 500 sheets of paper, and each report printed uses 30 sheets. Which equation gives the number of sheets s left in the tray after r reports have been printed?

  1. A. s = 500 − 30rCorrect
  2. B. s = 500 + 30r
  3. C. s = 30 − 500r
  4. D. s = 500r − 30

Answer: A. s = 500 − 30r

Start at 500 and remove 30 per report.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. s = 500 + 30r
Adding 30 per report would fill the tray.
C. s = 30 − 500r
This swaps the starting amount and the rate.
D. s = 500r − 30
This multiplies the starting amount by the number of reports.

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