Question

Justin takes the subway to commute for work and he spends $\$8$ on lunch every day. In $20$ days, he spent a total of $\$210$ on lunch and subway tickets. He has $\$85$ left to spend on travel and lunch for the next $10$ days. By how much should he reduce the amount he spends on lunch per day?

• A. $\$2.75$
• B. $\$1.5$
• C. $\$2.5$
• D. $\$2$

Answer 1

The correct option is D $\$2$

Let’s assume Justin spends $\$x$ on subway tickets every day.
Amount spent on lunch = $\$8$
Daily expense on lunch and subway = $\$(x+8)$
Expense for $20$ days = $\$20(x+8)$
Expense for 20 days = $\$210$
$20(x+8)=210$

$x+8=\frac{210}{20}$ [Dividing by $20$ on both sides]

$x+8=10.5$

$x=10.5-8$ [Subtracting $8$ from both sides]
$x=2.5$
Thus, Justin spends $\$2.5$ on subway tickets every day.
Let’s assume Justin spends $\$y$ on lunch for the next ten days.
Then,
$10(2.5+y)=85$

$y+2.5=\frac{85}{10}$ [Dividing by $10$ on both sides]

$y=8.5-2.5$

$y=\$6$

Reduction in the amount spent on lunch = $8-6=\$2$