Question

in the equation $5x + 50 = 120$, what does the term $5x$ represent? the total cost; the number of books; the weight of one book; the total weight of books

Explanation:

First, analyze the equation $5x + 50 = 120$: the right-hand side 120 is a total value, 50 is a fixed additional value, so $5x$ must be a variable total related to 5 units of $x$.

• "The total cost" is 120, so this is incorrect.
• "The number of books" is a single count, not a product term, so this is incorrect.
• "The weight of one book" is $x$, not $5x$, so this is incorrect.
• "The total weight of books" would be 5 times the weight of one book ($x$), matching $5x$.

Answer:

The total weight of books