Question 1 of 18
Alexia, Bob, and Comelia recorded the number of pages of books they read last month. Alexia read 135 pages, Bob read 26 pages less than Alexia, and Comelia read 3 and one-half times more pages than Alexia and Bob combined. Which of the following represents the total number of pages that Alexia, Bob, and Comelia read last month?
- A. 3.5(135 + 26)
- B. 3.5[2(135) - 26]
- C. 4.5[2(135) - 26]
- D. 4.5[2(135) + 26]
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
To determine the total number of pages read, first calculate Bob's pages: he read 135 - 26 = 109 pages. The combined pages of Alexia and Bob is 135 + 109 = 244 pages. Comelia read 3.5 times this total, resulting in 3.5 × 244. Option A incorrectly uses 135 + 26, which does not account for Bob's actual pages read. Option B mistakenly uses a subtraction instead of addition for the combined total. Option D incorrectly adds Bob's pages instead of using the correct combined total for Comelia's calculation. Thus, C accurately represents the total with 3.5(244), leading to the correct final total.
To determine the total number of pages read, first calculate Bob's pages: he read 135 - 26 = 109 pages. The combined pages of Alexia and Bob is 135 + 109 = 244 pages. Comelia read 3.5 times this total, resulting in 3.5 × 244. Option A incorrectly uses 135 + 26, which does not account for Bob's actual pages read. Option B mistakenly uses a subtraction instead of addition for the combined total. Option D incorrectly adds Bob's pages instead of using the correct combined total for Comelia's calculation. Thus, C accurately represents the total with 3.5(244), leading to the correct final total.