PSAT Math Multiple-Choice Question 99: Answer and Explanation

Question: 99

C = 0.08(B - x)

A new county regulation requires that a school system spend a certain amount of its discretionary budget each month on curriculum-based activities and a certain percentage of the remainder on after-school clubs. The equation above gives the amount, C dollars, that a school must spend on after-school clubs based on B dollars, the discretionary budget that month, and x dollars, the amount that must be spent on curriculum-based activities. If a school with a monthly discretionary budget of $9,000 must spend $320 on after-school clubs, what is the school required to spend on curriculum-based activities?

• A. $4,000
• B. $5,000
• C. $8,000
• D. $8,680

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

B

The question asks for the amount the school is required to spend on curriculum-based activities. Start by reading the final question and translate the information in Bite-Sized Pieces. The question states that the amount spent on curriculum-based activities is represented as x. The school has a monthly discretionary budget of $9,000, and the discretionary budget that month is represented as B, so B = 9,000. Additionally, the school must spend $320 on after-school clubs, and the amount spent on after-school clubs is represented as C, so C = 320. The equation becomes 320 = 0.08(9,000 - x). Solve for x. Start by multiplying both sides by 100 to get rid of the decimal: 32,000 = 8(9,000 - x). Divide both sides by 8 to get 4,000 = 9,000 -x. Subtract 9,000 from both sides to get -5,000 = -x. Multiply both sides by -1 to get x = $5,000. The correct answer is (B).