The equation \(40w + 12.50 = 492.50\) best represents the situation described in the first response:
Nikayah paid $492.50 for ballet classes. She paid a $40 registration fee and $12.50 for each week she was enrolled in the classes. Solve for w to find the number of weeks Nikayah was enrolled in ballet classes.
In this case, \(40w\) represents the total cost for \(w\) weeks at a rate of $40 per week, and the $12.50 represents an additional cost (which, based on the equation, seems to be considered part of the overall fees). The total sum adds up to $492.50, which is the total amount spent.