16Hit1600
AlgebraEasy–MediumEquation for a shrinking stack of paper

Algebra practice question

A printer tray holds 250 sheets and uses 5 sheets per document. Which equation gives the number of sheets s left after d documents have been printed?

  1. A. s = 250 − 5dCorrect
  2. B. s = 250 + 5d
  3. C. s = 5 − 250d
  4. D. s = 250d − 5

Answer: A. s = 250 − 5d

Start at 250 and lose 5 per document.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. s = 250 + 5d
Adding would fill the tray.
C. s = 5 − 250d
This swaps the start and the rate.
D. s = 250d − 5
This multiplies the start by d.

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