Popcorn - $3.50

Drinks - $1.35

When the movie is half over, popcorn sells for half price. Which expression can be used to determine the new cost for 3 orders of popcorn and 3 drinks?

A. 3 [1/2 (3.50) + 1.35]
B. 1/2 [3 (3.50) + 3 (1.35)]
C. (3.50) (3) ÷ 1/2 + 1.35
D. 1/2 (3.50) + 3 (1.35)

3 answers

To determine the new cost for 3 orders of popcorn and 3 drinks after the price of popcorn is halved, let's analyze the costs step by step.

  1. The cost of 3 orders of popcorn at half price:

    • The original price of popcorn is $3.50, so half price would be: \[ \frac{1}{2} \times 3.50 = 1.75 \]
    • Therefore, the cost for 3 orders of popcorn would be: \[ 3 \times 1.75 = 3 \times \frac{1}{2} (3.50) = \frac{3 \times 3.50}{2} \]
  2. The cost of 3 drinks:

    • The price per drink is $1.35, so for 3 drinks, the cost would be: \[ 3 \times 1.35 = 3(1.35) \]
  3. Combine both costs to find the total:

    • The total cost expression can be structured as: \[ \text{Total Cost} = 3 \times \frac{1}{2} (3.50) + 3(1.35) \]

Now, looking at the provided options:

A. \( 3 \left[\frac{1}{2} (3.50) + 1.35\right] \) - This would calculate the price together per serving and then multiply, which is not the total. B. \( \frac{1}{2} [3 (3.50) + 3 (1.35)] \) - This would incorrectly halve the entire cost before summing them, which is incorrect. C. \( (3.50)(3) \div \frac{1}{2} + 1.35 \) - This does not correctly represent the combination of costs. D. \( \frac{1}{2} (3.50) + 3 (1.35) \) - This calculates the cost for 1 popcorn at half price and adds the total for drinks, which is incorrect.

The correct representation should actually be: 3(1/2)(3.50) + 3(1.35)*

None of the options you’ve provided seem to perfectly match, but the most closely related one is option A, which at least attempts to divide the popcorn cost correctly, although it multiplies the summation by 3. So, A looks the best but requires adjustment.

If strictly selecting an option given your list, I would suggest choosing A.

Pick one of the answers A B C or D

The best answer from the options given, based on the explanation provided, is:

A. \( 3 \left[\frac{1}{2} (3.50) + 1.35\right] \)

This expression captures the idea of getting half of the popcorn price and adding the drink price, even though it should technically be three separate costs added together and then multiplied by 3.