To determine if Helena's statement about her gift card balance is reasonable, we first need to calculate the actual purchase and then compare it with the options provided.
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Calculate the total cost of the muffins: Helena bought muffins for herself and five friends, making it a total of 6 muffins. The cost of each muffin is $1.02.
- Total cost = 6 muffins x $1.02/muffin = $6.12.
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Calculate the remaining balance on the gift card: Helena started with $14.48 and spent $6.12.
- Remaining balance = $14.48 - $6.12 = $8.36.
Now, let's examine each option provided against the actual calculations:
Option A: This suggests rounding $14.48 to $14.40 and $1.02 to $1. The calculation shows:
- $14.40 - 5(1) = $9.40. This is not a correct reflection of her actual spending (6 muffins) or her remaining balance.
Option B: This option rounds $14.48 to $14.50 and $1.02 to $1. The calculation shows:
- $14.50 - 6(1) = $8.50. This approximation also does not exactly match the remaining balance but is quite close in reasoning to her statement.
Option C: This option rounds $14.48 to $15 and $1.02 to $2. The calculation shows:
- $15 - 5(2) = $5. This estimate is not reasonable or close.
Option D: This option rounds $14.48 to $14.50 and $1.02 to $2. The calculation shows:
- $14.50 - 6(2) = $2.50. This also does not seem reasonable.
Considering the calculation of the remaining balance of $8.36 after the actual transaction, Helena's statement of having "about $8.50" left on her gift card is indeed reasonable. The rounding in Option B would be the best representation of her claim, even if it doesn't match exactly.
Thus, the most appropriate answer would be B.