Calculating Larissa's Vitamin C Box Value

Hey guys! Let's dive into a fun little math problem. We're going to figure out the price of a vitamin C box that Larissa bought. She had a shopping spree, and we have some clues to help us out. So, grab your calculators (or your thinking caps!), and let's get started. This is the kind of problem that's perfect for anyone who loves a good puzzle, and it's super practical too – it's all about understanding how money works and how to solve for unknowns. We'll break it down step-by-step so it's easy to follow along. So, let's figure out the vitamin C box value! This problem is a classic example of using algebra to solve real-life scenarios. Ready to unravel the mystery of Larissa's shopping trip?

Understanding the Problem: The Shopping Spree Breakdown

Alright, first things first, let's gather all the info we have. We know that Larissa spent a total of R$29.00. Within that total, she bought several items. She got one box of vitamin C (which we need to find the price of), three packs of cotton, and two packs of antacid. The problem gives us some crucial relationships between the prices of these items. The cotton packs each cost a third of the vitamin C box's price, and the antacid packs each cost R$2.50. This gives us a clear roadmap to navigate. We'll transform this scenario into a mathematical equation. It's like turning a story into a mathematical problem. Understanding the problem is the most important step in solving it. So, let’s make sure we have everything in order before we start calculating the unknown values. The first step involves understanding what we are trying to solve. Let's make sure we've got a good grasp of all the details, okay?

Before we begin, remember that each piece of the puzzle is important. The total expense, the cost of the antacid, and the ratio between the cotton and vitamin C are all important. Now, let’s get into the specifics. So, to recap, Larissa spent R$29.00, and this amount covers the vitamin C, cotton, and antacid. Next, we have to find out the price of the cotton and vitamin C. But first, let’s organize our thoughts. This organizational step makes the rest of the problem-solving process way easier. Now, let's get down to the core of the problem: figuring out the price of that vitamin C box. We'll start by making sure we understand everything. This will let us come up with a strategy to solve this math problem. We’ll be breaking down the total cost, looking at the cost of the antacid and the cotton, and how they relate to the vitamin C. With the basic information in place, we're ready to start calculating the answer. We will break it down into steps, so you can follow along easily. Let's get started, shall we?

Setting Up the Equation: Turning Words into Math

Let's turn the story into a math equation. To start, let's use 'x' to represent the unknown price of the vitamin C box. We know that the cotton costs one-third of the vitamin C box. Now that we have a mathematical representation, we can solve this problem. Each cotton pack costs x/3, and she bought three packs. We also know that Larissa purchased two antacid packs at R$2.50 each. So, we'll begin to assemble our equation, adding up the cost of each item Larissa bought. The equation will look like this: x + 3*(x/3) + 2*2.50 = 29.00. This is the critical step where we translate the problem's information into a mathematical statement. Each part of the equation reflects one part of Larissa's purchase. We now have an equation that summarizes all the purchases that Larissa made. The goal is to isolate 'x' to find out the price of the vitamin C box. Remember that 'x' stands for the price of the vitamin C box. Now, let's simplify our equation. This step is about making the equation easier to solve. We can start by multiplying and adding the known amounts. So, 3 * (x/3) simplifies to 'x', and 2 * 2.50 equals 5.00. After simplifying, the equation becomes x + x + 5.00 = 29.00. This new equation is much easier to work with!

We're getting closer to our final answer. Next, we will continue simplifying our equation. Combining like terms is a key step, so the equation will be easier to manage. Our next step is to combine the 'x' terms. That is, we add the two 'x's together. This part will make the equation more efficient, so we can solve for 'x'. x + x simplifies to 2x. So, our equation now looks like this: 2x + 5.00 = 29.00. Excellent! See how much simpler this is getting? The equation gets easier to manage step by step. Now, let’s move forward to the next step.

Solving for X: Unveiling the Vitamin C Price

We're now ready to solve for 'x'! The goal is to isolate 'x' on one side of the equation. First, subtract 5.00 from both sides of the equation to eliminate the constant on the same side as the 'x'. This is a very important step. Remember to keep the equation balanced by performing the same operation on both sides. This gives us 2x = 24.00. Now that we have isolated 'x', the problem becomes much easier to solve. This is the crucial step to getting closer to the solution. The next and final step is to find out the final value of x. To find the price of the vitamin C box, we will have to isolate the unknown variable, x. Now, we're just one step away from solving for 'x'. To isolate 'x', divide both sides of the equation by 2. This isolates 'x' and gives us x = 12.00. Congratulations! We’ve solved it. We've figured out that the price of the vitamin C box is R$12.00. So, to recap, the value of 'x' we found is the price of the vitamin C. The value of x we were looking for is R$12.00. This is the final step, and we've successfully solved for 'x' which is the value of the vitamin C. With this, we've found the final answer! Now, wasn't that a fun adventure in problem-solving?

Conclusion: Larissa's Vitamin C Revealed!

So, there you have it, guys! The vitamin C box cost R$12.00. We started with a word problem and, step by step, turned it into a solvable equation. We simplified the equation, found the final answer, and now we know the price of the vitamin C box. Remember, each step is like a piece of the puzzle, and when you put them all together, you get the complete picture. Hopefully, this explanation was clear and easy to follow. Hopefully, you now understand how to solve this kind of math problem. Keep practicing these types of problems, and you'll become a math whiz in no time. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Thanks for joining me on this math adventure, and happy solving!