Answered

Steven has 55 baseball cards. Steven and Lucas have more than 71 baseball cards together. Which of the following inequalities represents the number of baseball cards the two boys have?

A. [tex]b \ \textgreater \ 55 + 71[/tex]
B. [tex]55 - b \ \textgreater \ 71[/tex]
C. [tex]55 + b \ \textless \ 71[/tex]
D. [tex]55 + b \ \textgreater \ 71[/tex]



Answer :

Let's go through the problem step by step.

1. Identify the Variables:
- Steven has 55 baseball cards.
- Let [tex]\( b \)[/tex] represent the number of baseball cards Lucas has.

2. Total Number of Cards:
- Together, Steven and Lucas have a sum of their baseball cards.

3. Define the Inequality:
- The problem states that the total number of baseball cards Steven and Lucas have together is more than 71. We can represent this with the inequality:
[tex]\[ 55 + b > 71 \][/tex]

4. Analyze the Options:
- Option A: [tex]\( b > 55 + 71 \)[/tex] simplifies to [tex]\( b > 126 \)[/tex]
- This option is incorrect because it implies Lucas alone must have more than 126 cards.
- Option B: [tex]\( 55 - b > 71 \)[/tex]
- This option is incorrect as it implies if you subtract Lucas's cards from Steven's cards, it should be more than 71, which doesn't fit the context.
- Option C: [tex]\( 55 + b < 71 \)[/tex]
- This option is incorrect as it states their total is less than 71, which contradicts the given condition of having more than 71 cards together.
- Option D: [tex]\( 55 + b > 71 \)[/tex]
- This option correctly represents the condition given in the problem, where the combined total of Steven and Lucas's baseball cards is more than 71.

5. Conclusion:
- The correct inequality that represents the number of baseball cards the two boys have together is:
[tex]\[ 55 + b > 71 \][/tex]

Therefore, the correct answer is:
D. [tex]\( 55+b>71 \)[/tex]