Calculate Total Cost Of Books And Exercise Books A Math Problem

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In the realm of mathematical problem-solving, we often encounter scenarios that require us to apply basic arithmetic operations to real-world situations. One such scenario involves calculating the total expenditure on a set of items purchased at different prices. In this article, we will delve into a practical example where a student buys a certain number of books and exercise books, each at a specific price, and we aim to determine the total amount spent. This problem serves as an excellent illustration of how we can combine multiplication and addition to solve everyday financial calculations. So, let's embark on this mathematical journey and unravel the solution step by step.

Before diving into the calculations, it's crucial to thoroughly understand the problem statement. A student purchased two types of items: books and exercise books. The student bought 13 books, each priced at N450.25, and 9 exercise books, each priced at N80.50. The core question we need to answer is: How much did the student spend in total? To solve this, we need to calculate the individual costs of the books and exercise books and then add them together to find the grand total. Breaking down the problem into smaller, manageable parts is a key strategy in problem-solving.

To arrive at the solution, we will follow a step-by-step approach:

  1. Calculate the cost of the books:

    • The student bought 13 books.
    • Each book costs N450.25.
    • To find the total cost of the books, we multiply the number of books by the cost per book: 13 * N450.25 = N5853.25

  2. Calculate the cost of the exercise books:

    • The student bought 9 exercise books.
    • Each exercise book costs N80.50.
    • To find the total cost of the exercise books, we multiply the number of exercise books by the cost per exercise book: 9 * N80.50 = N724.50

  3. Calculate the total expenditure:

    • To find the total amount spent, we add the total cost of the books and the total cost of the exercise books: N5853.25 + N724.50 = N6577.75

Let's dissect the calculation process further to ensure clarity and understanding. The first step involved calculating the cost of the 13 books. Each book was priced at N450.25, which means we needed to multiply 13 by 450.25. This multiplication can be done manually or with the aid of a calculator. The result, N5853.25, represents the total amount spent on books. It's crucial to double-check this calculation to ensure accuracy, as any error here will propagate through the rest of the solution. Next, we calculated the cost of the 9 exercise books. Each exercise book was priced at N80.50, so we multiplied 9 by 80.50. This gave us a total cost of N724.50 for the exercise books. Again, accuracy is paramount, and it's wise to verify this calculation. Finally, we added the total cost of the books (N5853.25) to the total cost of the exercise books (N724.50) to find the overall expenditure. This addition yielded N6577.75, which is the total amount the student spent on both books and exercise books. The meticulous breakdown of each step allows for a clear and concise understanding of the solution, minimizing the chances of errors and providing a solid foundation for similar mathematical problems.

Therefore, the student spent a total of N6577.75 on books and exercise books.

In mathematical calculations, accuracy is paramount. Even a small error in one step can lead to a significantly incorrect final answer. In this problem, if we had made a mistake in calculating the cost of the books or the exercise books, the final total expenditure would have been wrong. This highlights the importance of double-checking each step of the calculation to ensure precision. Using a calculator can help reduce the chances of errors in multiplication and addition, but it's still crucial to understand the underlying principles and to verify the results. Accuracy not only ensures the correctness of the answer but also builds confidence in one's problem-solving abilities. In real-life financial situations, accuracy is even more critical, as errors can have serious consequences. Whether it's calculating expenses, budgeting, or managing investments, a solid grasp of mathematical principles and a commitment to accuracy are essential skills.

The problem we solved is not just an academic exercise; it has practical applications in our daily lives. We often encounter situations where we need to calculate the total cost of multiple items. For instance, when grocery shopping, we might want to know the total cost of the items in our cart before heading to the checkout. Similarly, when buying school supplies, we need to calculate the total expenditure on notebooks, pens, pencils, and other items. Understanding how to perform these calculations accurately is a valuable life skill. Moreover, the principles involved in this problem extend to more complex financial calculations, such as budgeting, managing personal finances, and making informed purchasing decisions. By mastering basic arithmetic operations and applying them to real-world scenarios, we can become more financially literate and make better choices about how we spend our money. The ability to calculate total costs, discounts, taxes, and other financial aspects empowers us to take control of our financial well-being.

While we followed a step-by-step approach to solve the problem, there are alternative methods that can be used. One approach is to use a single equation to represent the entire problem. Let 'x' be the total expenditure. Then, we can write the equation as:

x = (13 * 450.25) + (9 * 80.50)

This equation encapsulates all the steps in one line. Solving this equation directly will give us the total expenditure. Another approach is to use a spreadsheet or a similar tool to organize the calculations. We can create columns for the number of items, the cost per item, and the total cost for each type of item. Then, we can use the spreadsheet's built-in functions to calculate the total costs and the overall expenditure. This method is particularly useful when dealing with a large number of items or complex calculations. By exploring different approaches, we can gain a deeper understanding of the problem and develop our problem-solving skills. Each method offers a unique perspective and can be more suitable depending on the context and the tools available.

When solving mathematical problems, it's essential to be aware of common mistakes that can lead to incorrect answers. In this particular problem, one common mistake is to add the number of books and exercise books before multiplying them by their respective costs. This would lead to a completely wrong answer. Another mistake is to misread the prices or the number of items, which can result in errors in the calculations. To avoid these mistakes, it's crucial to read the problem statement carefully and to double-check all the values before starting the calculations. It's also helpful to break down the problem into smaller steps and to perform each step methodically. Using a calculator can help reduce the chances of arithmetic errors, but it's important to ensure that the values are entered correctly. Furthermore, it's always a good practice to estimate the answer before performing the calculations. This can help identify any significant errors in the final result. By being mindful of these common mistakes and taking steps to avoid them, we can improve our accuracy and confidence in problem-solving.

In conclusion, we have successfully calculated the total expenditure of a student who bought 13 books at N450.25 each and 9 exercise books at N80.50 each. By following a step-by-step approach, we determined that the student spent a total of N6577.75. This problem highlights the importance of accuracy in mathematical calculations and the practical applications of arithmetic operations in everyday life. Understanding how to solve such problems is a valuable skill that can help us make informed financial decisions. Moreover, the problem-solving strategies we employed, such as breaking down the problem into smaller steps and double-checking our calculations, are applicable to a wide range of mathematical and real-world situations. By mastering these skills, we can become more confident and competent problem-solvers.

To further enhance your understanding and problem-solving skills, here are a few practice problems similar to the one we solved:

  1. A shopkeeper bought 25 pens at N25.50 each and 15 notebooks at N45.75 each. How much did the shopkeeper spend in total?
  2. A baker bought 50 kg of flour at N80 per kg and 30 kg of sugar at N120 per kg. Calculate the total cost of the flour and sugar.
  3. A fruit vendor bought 100 apples at N15 each and 75 oranges at N20 each. What was the total amount spent by the fruit vendor?

Try solving these problems using the methods we discussed in this article. Remember to break down the problems into smaller steps, perform the calculations accurately, and double-check your answers. Practice is key to mastering mathematical concepts and improving problem-solving skills.