Question

A gardener plants roses and carnations in the areas shown in the model below.

A model with 4 rows of 4 squares, representing 16 acres of roses, and 4 rows of 3 squares, representing 12 acres of carnations.

What value correctly fills in the blank in the equation 16 + 12 = 4 x (blank + 3) to show the sum of the two areas of flowers?
2
3
4
8

Answer 1

To solve the equation \( 16 + 12 = 4 \times (\text{blank} + 3) \), we first calculate the left side of the equation:

\[
16 + 12 = 28
\]

Now we need to set up the equation with the right side:

\[
28 = 4 \times (\text{blank} + 3)
\]

Next, we divide both sides by 4 to isolate \((\text{blank} + 3)\):

\[
\frac{28}{4} = \text{blank} + 3
\]
\[
7 = \text{blank} + 3
\]

Now, we subtract 3 from both sides:

\[
7 - 3 = \text{blank}
\]
\[
\text{blank} = 4
\]

Thus, the value that correctly fills in the blank is:

\[
\boxed{4}
\]