Melanie spent a total of $780. The dress she bought cost 4 times as much as the shoes and the purse she bought. She spent $96 for the shoes. How much did she spend for the purse?

Question

This is a 4th grade word problem.

Answer 1

The dress cost 4×96=$384 and so the cost of dress and shoes is $480 so the purse cost 780-480=$300.

But the question can be interpreted differently. If the dress cost 4 times the cost of the shoes and the purse together then the dress cost 4(96+purse)=384+4×purse. Add on the cost of the shoes and the purse:

480+5×purse=780. So 5×purse=300 and the purse cost $60.

This means that the dress cost $156×4=$624. Cost of the three items: 624+96+60=$780.