Question

Can someone help me understand this arithmetic expression? :

"In 2001 Harper College charged $55 per credit hour. Find the total bill for a student who takes 15 credit hours and pays a $75 activity fee."

The answer choices are:

(1) 55+75+15
(2) 75+15x55
(3) (75+55)x15
(4) 75x55x15
(5) 55x15-75

The answer is (2). Which is really confusing.

Answer 1

Hello,
the college charges 55 dollars per credit hour. and the student has taken 15 credit hours. so in order to find how much money that totals you have to multiply it.
in addition to this cost, the student also pays a 75 activity fee, so that is why you ADD the value. This is because the activity cost is an another fee that the student paid, in addition to the 15 credit hours which cost 55 dollars EACH.
Is it a little easier to understand now?

Answer 2

Yes, I understand now. Thank you. I kept subtracting the $75 activity fee instead of adding it.